When Are Temporary Road Surfaces Needed?
- Construction sites: Protecting existing roads from HGV and plant damage; providing temporary haul roads across undeveloped ground
- Utilities works: Bridging trenches and excavations to maintain vehicle and pedestrian access during works
- Outdoor events: Creating vehicle access routes, car parks, and pedestrian walkways across grass and soft ground
- Agricultural: Protecting fields during harvesting or access for machinery
- Emergency response: Rapid access routes across damaged or flooded ground
Steel Road Plates
Heavy steel road plates (trench plates) are the industry standard for bridging open excavations on highways and in construction environments.
Specification
- Material: Structural steel, typically S275 or S355 grade
- Thickness: 20mm (light duty/pedestrian) to 25mm or 32mm (HGV traffic)
- Common sizes: 2400×1200mm, 3600×1800mm, 4800×2400mm (bespoke available)
- Surface: Chequer plate (raised diamond pattern) for skid resistance
- Weight: Approximately 47kg/m² for 20mm plate — specialist HIAB or flatbed transport required
Traffic Management Requirements on Public Highway
- Highway authority notification (S58 notice under New Roads and Street Works Act)
- Speed restriction (typically 10 mph) over plated areas
- Edging ramps to prevent kerb effect at plate edges
- Appropriate traffic management (cones, signs, temporary traffic signals if needed)
- Regular inspection for movement and surface condition
Composite Ground Protection Mats
For events and temporary access applications across soft ground, composite plastic or hardwood ground protection mats offer a lighter, easier-to-handle alternative to steel plates.
| Product Type | Max Wheel Load | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Light HDPE mat (20mm) | 3–5 tonnes | Pedestrian and car event access |
| Heavy composite mat (40mm) | 10–20 tonnes | Construction vehicles, plant |
| Steel road plate (20mm) | 30–40 tonnes | HGV, crane, utilities trenching |
| Steel road plate (25mm) | 40–60 tonnes | Heavy plant, ground workers |
| Hardwood bog mat | 40–80 tonnes | Crane mats, very heavy plant |
Event Applications
- Car parks: Ground protection mats prevent rutting and waterlogging in grass car parks; essential in wet UK conditions
- Emergency vehicle access: Mat systems ensure fire appliances can access event sites across soft ground
- Pedestrian walkways: Lighter interlocking mat systems provide clean, stable walkways for guests
- Production areas: Heavy-load mats under generators, catering trucks, and stage equipment
Pedestrian Safety
Any temporary road surface in a pedestrian environment requires: adequate surface slip resistance when wet, no trip hazards at mat edges or joints, ramped edges where plates or mats create a level change, appropriate lighting for night-time events, and clear segregation of vehicle and pedestrian routes.
Environmental Benefits of Composite Mats
- Made from recycled plastic — reduces virgin material consumption
- Reusable — hire models allow multiple uses before end-of-life
- No chemical treatment required (unlike some hardwoods)
- Reversible ground impact — ground recovers quickly after mat removal versus rutted grass
Purchase vs Hire
For high-frequency users (major contractors, event companies), purchasing offers better economics over time. Occasional users benefit from hire — products available from specialist hire companies with delivery and collection included.
Conclusion
Matching load capacity to actual vehicles expected, considering ground conditions, and ensuring safety for all users are the key specification criteria. Explore our traffic management and temporary works range.