What Are Temporary Roadways?
Temporary roadways provide a stable surface for vehicles, machinery, and pedestrians to move safely across soft, uneven, or sensitive ground. By spreading weight and reducing pressure on the surface below, they protect the ground and prevent damage even in wet or challenging conditions.
At Timbermat, we supply temporary roadways made from durable hardwood and composite materials, suitable for a range of applications, from pedestrian access routes to heavy-duty plant and crane operations. These mats interlock to create a strong, reliable road surface that helps traffic flow smoothly while reducing health and safety risks on site.
Our temporary roadways are available for hire or purchase, with nationwide depots and next-day delivery available across the country. Whether your project is straightforward or complex, we can provide the right solution for short or long-term use.
Light-duty mats
Ideal for pedestrian pathways, light traffic and smaller equipment. Size: 5m x 1m x 70mm Loadings: 1-25tMedium-duty mats
Ideal for medium traffic and larger equipment. Size: 3-5m x 1m x 100/150mm Loadings: 35-65tHeavy-duty mats
Suitable for heavy traffic, supporting heavy machinery and outriggers. Size: 3-6m x 1m x 200mm Loadings: 65-150t+
Benefits of Temporary Road Mats
Temporary road mats are portable roads designed to make undrivable surfaces drivable. They provide a safe, stable surface over soft, uneven, or waterlogged ground, helping vehicles, machinery, and pedestrians move without delay.
- Safe site access – creates a stable, non-slip route for vehicles, machinery, and pedestrians, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Ground protection – prevents the ground from rutting, soil from compacting and grass from being damaged.
- Keeps projects moving – ensures easy access even in wet, boggy, or waterlogged conditions where vehicles might otherwise get stuck.
Applications of Temporary Roadway Mats
Temporary roadways are used across many industries including:
- Construction sites – enabling access for heavy plant, deliveries, and site traffic without damaging the ground.
- Utilities and infrastructure – supporting vehicles and equipment working on power lines, pipelines, or telecom installations.
- Events and festivals – creating safe pedestrian walkways, service routes, and temporary flooring for equipment and crowds.
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance – protecting grass and soil while allowing machinery and vehicles to move freely.
- Agriculture and forestry – providing access to fields, woodland, and rural areas in all weather conditions.
Buy or Hire Temporary Roadway Mats
At Timbermat, we offer a wide range of temporary roadway solutions available for both hire and purchase, depending on what you need for your project.
We have depots across the UK, in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, meaning we can supply nationwide with next-day delivery if required urgently.
Our temporary road solutions are available as both lighter-duty mats for pedestrian and vehicle access and heavy-duty systems capable of supporting cranes and plant machinery.
Contact our team today to discuss your requirements and get expert advice on the best system for your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
We offer fast, nationwide delivery from our depots in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. In most cases, we can arrange next-day delivery to keep your project moving without delay.
Light-duty mats: 1-25t
Medium-duty mats: 35-65t
Heavy-duty mats: 65-150t
Temporary roadways are designed to last between 5 – 10 years, depending on usage. They have natural UV-resistance, preventing degradation from prolonged sun exposure, and tread patterns designed for optimal traction.
Yes. On sites with only a single access point, or where it’s more convenient to keep pedestrian and vehicle traffic on the same route, there are options:
- Temporary roadways can be installed wide enough to safely handle both vehicles and foot traffic.
- Heavy-duty walkway mats can also accommodate light vehicles, including those on tyres or tracks.
Where possible, it’s usually safer to keep pedestrians and vehicles separate by using different routes. However, our mats are designed with standardised lifting points for quick repositioning, so routes can be adjusted as work progresses across the site to maintain safe, practical access.
