What is the difference between a speed cushion and a speed bump?

A speed cushion is narrower than a speed bump and is placed in pairs or triplets across the road width, with gaps between them. This allows the wider axles of emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire engines, police cars) to straddle the cushions and pass over without slowing down. A standard speed bump spans the full road width, affecting all vehicles equally.

Do speed cushions slow down emergency vehicles?

No — this is the primary design advantage of speed cushions. Because their width (typically 300–400mm each) is narrower than the track width of emergency service vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, and police cars can pass over them at normal speed by straddling the cushions with their wider axles.

What is the DfT guidance on speed cushions?

The Department for Transport's Local Transport Note LTN 1/07 (Traffic Calming) provides guidance on the design and installation of speed cushions on UK roads. Key parameters include a target speed reduction to 20–25mph, a cushion height of 75–100mm, and spacing between cushions of at least 700mm to allow emergency vehicle passage.

Do I need planning permission to install speed cushions?

Speed cushions on public roads require formal traffic calming approval from the local highway authority under the Highways Act 1980 and the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999. On private roads, car parks, and estate roads, planning permission is generally not required, but you should consult your local planning authority to confirm.

What are speed cushions made from?

UK speed cushions are made from either recycled rubber (the most common material, durable and weather-resistant) or high-density polyurethane plastic. Rubber cushions are typically more flexible and quieter when driven over. Both types are available in black with yellow reflective inserts for high visibility.

Speed Cushions

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Last updated: May 2026. Written by the BarriersCo technical team.

Speed Cushions UK — Road Calming That Lets Emergency Vehicles Pass

Speed cushions are one of the most widely used road calming measures on residential streets across the UK — and for good reason. Unlike full-width speed bumps or humps, speed cushions are designed with a critical gap that allows emergency vehicles to pass at speed without delay, making them the preferred choice for roads on or near emergency service routes. This guide covers everything you need to know about buying, specifying, and installing speed cushions in the UK.

Speed Cushions vs Speed Bumps vs Speed Humps

Speed cushions are typically 300–400mm wide and installed in pairs or triplets across the road width, leaving a 700mm+ gap between them. This gap is specifically sized to allow emergency vehicle axle widths to pass unimpeded.

Speed bumps are typically 75–100mm tall and span the full road width, reducing vehicle speed to 5–10mph. They affect all vehicles equally and are not suitable for roads where emergency vehicle response times are critical.

Speed humps (sometimes called flat-top humps or table-top humps) span the full road width but are shallower (75mm), producing a gentler speed reduction to 20–25mph. They're commonly used at pedestrian crossing points. Neither bumps nor humps allow emergency vehicles to pass at speed.

How Speed Cushions Work

The physics is simple but ingenious. Private cars and vans — with a typical track width of 1,100–1,400mm — cannot straddle a pair of cushions placed 700–900mm apart, so their wheels must ride over the cushions and the driver slows to avoid discomfort. An ambulance or fire engine, with a track width of 1,800–2,000mm, can place its wheels in the gaps between cushions and pass at speed. The DfT's LTN 1/07 specifies that cushion gaps should be at least 700mm, which is the critical dimension to maintain during installation.

DfT Guidance and UK Standards

LTN 1/07 (Traffic Calming) is the key Department for Transport guidance document. It specifies: cushion height 75–100mm, cushion width 300–400mm (each), gap between cushions ≥700mm, preferred surface approach distance of 30–50m from the cushion. Speed cushions on public roads require approval from the local highway authority and must comply with the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999. Signs (regulatory warning signs) are usually required upstream of each cushion installation.

Rubber vs Plastic Speed Cushions

Recycled rubber cushions are the most popular choice for UK roads. They're flexible (reducing noise and vibration), UV-stable, frost-resistant, and available in modular sections for easy installation and replacement. Most are supplied with pre-drilled fixing holes and stainless steel fixing bolts.

Polyurethane/plastic cushions are typically brighter yellow, lighter, and easier to transport. They may produce slightly more noise at higher speeds and are better suited to lower-traffic environments such as private car parks and school entrances.

Installation Considerations

Speed cushions are secured to the road surface using high-tensile bolts or resin anchors. Ensure the road surface is clean and dry before installation. Most modular systems require two people and basic tools for installation. Always position reflective road studs or delineator markings alongside cushions to alert approaching drivers, as required by LTN 1/07.

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