Temporary vs Permanent Barriers: A Contractor's Guide
Choosing between temporary and permanent barriers is one of the first decisions on any traffic management or perimeter security project. Get it wrong and you face either unnecessary cost from permanent installation, or inadequate protection from a temporary solution.
Decision Framework
| Factor | Temporary | Permanent |
|---|---|---|
| Duration of need | Days to months | Years+ |
| Frequency of reconfiguration | Regular | Never or rarely |
| Ground works possible? | No | Yes |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Long-term cost | Higher (hire/replace) | Lower (install once) |
| Planning permission required? | Usually no | Potentially yes |
| Security/impact resistance | Moderate | High (if certified) |
Temporary Barrier Types for Contractors
Water-Filled Plastic Barriers
The workhorse of temporary traffic management. Made from HDPE, they interlock end-to-end and are filled on site with water. Empty weight ~30kg; filled weight can reach 600ā800kg per unit. Available in Chapter 8 compliant variants for highway use. See our water-filled and concrete barrier range.
Concrete Jersey Barriers
Pre-cast concrete jersey barriers provide a higher-mass alternative for long-term temporary installation. Their mass (700kgā1,500kg per unit) makes them suitable for HGV deflection in roadworks and construction sites.
Crowd Control Barriers
Interlocking steel crowd barriers form the backbone of pedestrian management at events. Lightweight (typically 15ā20kg each), they can be deployed and recovered quickly by small teams. See our crowd control barriers collection.
Permanent Barrier Types
Armco (W-Beam) Crash Barriers
The UK's most widely used permanent vehicle restraint system. Defined by BS EN 1317, armco barriers are rated from N2 (light containment) to H4b (very high containment for HGVs). Applications include motorway central reservations, bridge parapets, car park edges, and dangerous bends.
Permanent Bollard Lines
Core-drilled and set in concrete, they require no maintenance beyond periodic inspection. See our bollards collection.
Site Safety & Legal Requirements
- All barriers on public highways require compliance with Chapter 8 Traffic Signs Manual
- Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) must be submitted for highway works
- Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) required for road closures
- CDM Regulations 2015 require barrier specifications in the Pre-Construction Health & Safety file
Browse our full barriers range for both temporary and permanent solutions.