What to consider when hiring temporary road surface solutions

Every project is unique and requires careful analysis to provide the most suitable, durable, and efficient temporary road surface solutions.

At Davis Trackhire, we specialize in providing safe, high-quality ground protection configurations so our clients can run their projects safely.

It is important to note, that although this is useful information to know, these considerations are only necessary if you are dry hiring and installing your own trackway. When you hire a temporary road surface with us we also provide installation and collection. We guide you every step of the way and conduct our own evaluations and onsite assessments, following a three-step safety process. Recently, the public voted us Scotlands Top Road Safety Operator 2025.

Key factors we consider for temporary road surface solutions are:

Surface type: As an example rough, boggy, or sloping terrain needs a high-resistance temporary trackway.

Access requirements: We consider vehicle type, weight, axle load, and traffic volume. Complex solutions are required when a mixture of machinery, vehicles, and pedestrians require access to the site. It is also important to ensure there will be no steel-tracked machinery.

Weather conditions: Ice and snow increase risks, just like you can see here on our Angel of the North Project. Additional road surfaces and temporary car parks may be necessary in winter to prevent accidents. Specialist safety procedures may also apply based on the project’s nature.

What to look for when assessing ground stability prior to a construction project commencing

1. The surface of the road – Understanding the site’s surface (grass, paving, beach, tarmac, stone, or peat) helps determine the required temporary trackway and additional configurations. We offer three types of trackway: Aluminium trackway panels, Ground Protection Mats and TuffTrak®.

2. The quality of the road or ground – We assess whether the ground is flat, soft, sloping, rutted, or firm. Cushion underlay may be necessary to create a smoother surface and protect vulnerable areas from damage. Although our underlay mats are only lightweight, they are extremely effective. They often become an essential part of our projects, particularly where valuable and delicate surfaces are at risk.

3. The vehicles and foot traffic are expected to travel on the temporary road – Consider the weight, axle load and expected traffic volume to ensure the correct trackway is installed. This doesn’t just relate to vehicles, but also footfall too. We provide a substantial amount of hire for outdoor events and festivals across the UK. We always have to look at the predicted amount of footfall to assess whether the trackway is suitable to bear the load of attendees standing on the surface at any one point.

4. The duration of the project – Long-term installations require periodic checks to maintain stability. Seasonal adjustments may be necessary if the project extends into winter, as icy conditions will inevitably occur and risks will increase. Many of our clients require additional temporary road surface solutions in winter to create clearly defined, non-slip routes for site travel and staff parking, ensuring safer movement in snow and icy conditions.

5. Heavy-duty pannels requirement – Heavy-duty trackway can withstand demanding conditions, heavy loads and prolonged use, offering a better calibre of traction and durability. Heavy-duty systems require offloading plus extra planning for installation.

6. The timeline for temporary trackway – From a logistical standpoint, engineers need clear installation schedules to ensure timely setup and maintain project efficiency. You should factor in hire length and potential overruns to avoid conflicts with other hires.

What checks should you carry out prior to the project commencing?

Project budgets for temporary road surface solutions

Ensure costs for temporary trackway hire, installation, and removal align with project budgets to prevent delays.

Wider context to the environment

Listed grounds often have additional regulations to protect the land. Failure to create proper temporary road surface solutions in these spaces can lead to costly fines, legal penalties, and other consequences if damage occurs. We explain this further, here.

External dangers surrounding temporary road surface solutions

Overhead power lines can cause project delays. Overhead power lines require GS6 Height Restrictors, which require planning prior to installation. Underground services, such as manhole covers, also require assessment. We work with many UK utility companies where our teams navigate through large open countryside terrain checking for additional external dangers.

Specific site training

Some sites require CPCS cards, safety inductions, or additional PPE (e.g. flameproof overalls) before access. We ask the correct questions via our online cost calculator and our hire desk team, to ensure that in this scenario we can prepare in advance to have everything in place before beginning the installation.

On-site security

Trackway temporary road requires protection from theft (particularly aluminium panels) which are valuable. 24/7 site security is often required. It is important to check that sites are manned during holiday periods when there are company shutdowns. Where this happens, the trackway may need to be collected and re-installed after the holiday.

Initial site access

Even if the temporary road isn’t near the main entrance, lorry access is essential. Ensuring artic lorries can enter, unload, and stockpile panels will prevent logistical issues. Typically, a temporary access road must be installed to support the main temporary road surface solution.

Contact our team

Our expert Davis Trackhire team provides tailored temporary road surface solutions for both short- and long-term projects. To summarise much of the information discussed in this insight, plus learn more valuable information, you can read our blog on temporary trackway mats – everything you need to know.

Contact Margaret our friendly hire desk controller on 01698 662035 to discuss your temporary trackway hire requirements and ensure a smooth, efficient installation. Alternatively, you can get in touch via our enquiry form and we will get back to you promptly.