West Smithfield EC.1 in the City of London...

We are right next to the central meat market in the City of London at West Smithfield which just happens to be right next to St Bartholomew's Hospital. 
Well what do you make of these rather large tapered/pointed wooden bollards that border a rather pleasant paved seated area.
The bollards are weathered however I must say that the idea of planting wooden bollards when a small hardy tree would do the same job really does worry me and demonstrates an odd even illogical thought process by town planners of many borough's and not just the City of London.
Bollards of London...