What are ground protection boards?

Ground protection boards are large, flat, stable surfaces (often with grooves or chevrons) placed onto the ground for vehicle access, parking, and pedestrian walkways. The most popular materials used to create ground protection boards are HDPE plastic and aluminium.

They serve a multitude of purposes but their main role is safety. They offer ground stability, create an even distribution of weight and allow for extra traction and grip for all vehicles travelling across the temporary trackway. Amongst many other practical purposes, they also provide a distinctive, non-slip surface for pedestrian access and walkways.

The core sectors that utilise ground protection are Construction, Events, Telecoms, Film and TV, Renewable energy, Mobile cranes, Geotechnical, Transmission, Rail and Portable buildings.

Why use ground protection boards for your project?

Ground protection boards alleviate many safety issues and concerns across multiple sectors, often they are mandatory. Here are the most common reasons for ground protection mats hire:

• Safety – The primary purpose of ground protection boards is to provide a level and stable surface for both vehicles and pedestrians. They help prevent slips and falls, while also protecting heavy-duty vehicles from tipping, sinking, or crashing.
• Access – Ground protection boards provide access for vehicles and pedestrians over terrains that are unsafe to travel over. UK outdoor terrains are often marshy, rocky and uneven. This creates a logistical nightmare for companies who need to carry equipment and operate on a piece of open land.
• Protect the Earth – In addition to keeping pedestrians and vehicles safe, they also protect the ground from damage. Access vehicles and large amounts of footfall on any grounds can be very damaging, even more so for softer terrains. Co-insiding with protecting the earth ground protection boards also help protect eco-systems, creating little to no disruption to biodiversity.
• Time efficiency – Even when the ground is relatively stable and ground protection boards may not be strictly necessary, they still offer valuable benefits. They enhance project efficiency by providing additional traction for tyres, ensuring smoother transportation of goods and equipment. Moreover, ground protection boards establish clear, defined routes, preventing vehicles and pedestrians from veering off course. They allow site navigation to be more straightforward. This is especially helpful for public events where crowd control is necessary.
• Accuracy – Many of our clients manage projects that demand an exceptionally high degree of precision. Hiring ground mats is essential, as they provide a stable terrain, ensuring the accuracy needed for these projects.
• Vehicle preservation – General wear and tear of vehicles can be costly. Stable and level ground protection panels provide appropriate tyre surfaces and support vehicle suspension whilst contributing toward vehicle longevity.
• Cost savings – Adding ground protection to a site can lower insurance costs. It helps to prevent pedestrian accidents, vehicle accidents, damages and delays in job flow due to poor terrain.

Types of ground protection boards

• Aluminium panels – Aluminium ground protection boards are designed to provide a 3.0 metre wide load-bearing temporary access. This allows even the heaviest road-going vehicles to safely travel over the harshest of terrain.
• HDPE panels – Plastic trackmats are designed for medium-duty vehicular access. HDPE ground protection boards are highly flexible yet extremely tough. They provide the perfect solution for a speedy and versatile roadway system across tricky ground conditions.
• TuffTrak® and other brands i.e. ground guard mats – This type of ground protection board is designed for heavy plant and machinery. TuffTrak® is a dual-sided, solid composite road mat suitable for use as a temporary roadway, site compound or crane pad. This style of ground protection is capable of supporting loads of up to 150 tonnes which is suitable for SSSI and remote sites.

When it comes to ground mats hire we find our aluminium trackway panels are the most popular all-rounder, we are the UK largest independent supplier of aluminium roadways in the UK.

Get in touch

At Davis Trackhire, we dedicate ourselves to delivering the safest and most efficient solutions for every installation. As Scotland’s Top Road Safety Operator 2025, we take pride in our commitment to excellence. And, as a small, family-owned company, we bring a friendly, personal touch to every project, ensuring our clients receive both expert and genuine service.

Reach out to our team if you would like to discuss ground protection mats hire.