Steel Road Plates

Heavy-duty steel road plates for bridging open trenches and maintaining site access

Available in a range of sizes
12mm to 25mm thicknesses available
Lifting points in each corner
Supplied with holding-down bolts
Available for sale or hire
Fast nationwide delivery

Steel road plates are designed to securely bridge open trenches and excavations. They allow pedestrians, cyclists and heavy vehicle traffic to cross safely without risk of falling, while enabling essential groundwork and utility repairs to continue underneath.

Site Equipment Limited supplies heavy-duty metal road plates in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, built to offer maximum durability and high visibility in demanding civil engineering and construction environments.

We offer steel road plates and trench covers for sale or hire with good stock availability and fast lead times, along with prompt nationwide delivery to sites across the UK.

We also offer anti-skid road plates for maximum surface friction in wet or muddy conditions.

Safe Handling and Installation

Our metal road plates are designed to be stacked for efficient site storage. Each plate features dedicated lifting points in every corner, allowing it to be safely raised, handled and lowered into position using standard lifting plant.

When deployed, road plates and trench covers must be secured to the road surface to ensure they remain firmly in place under live traffic. They are supplied with holding-down bolts for reliable fixing.

Steel Road Plates: Common Questions

What are steel road plates used for?

Steel road plates are used to cover open trenches and excavations during groundworks, allowing vehicle traffic and pedestrians to cross safely while work continues below.

How do you secure steel road plates?

You secure steel road plates by sinking them flush into the road surface or creating a ramp, and bolting them down using dedicated holding-down bolts to prevent any movement under live traffic.

What sizes do metal road plates come in?

Metal road plates come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1.2m x 1.2m for pedestrian pathways up to large 4.0m x 2.0m heavy-duty plates, allowing you to select the exact dimensions to bridge your specific excavation.

How much does a steel road plate weigh?

The weight of a steel road plate depends on its size and thickness. A standard 1.2m x 1.2m plate (12mm thick) weighs 200kg, while a heavy-duty 4.0m x 2.0m plate (25mm thick) weighs 1400kg. Always ensure you have the appropriate lifting equipment.

How thick should a road plate be for vehicles?

For heavy vehicles, a road plate should typically be between 20mm and 25mm thick. For pedestrian traffic, a thinner 12mm or 13mm road plate is usually sufficient. An appropriately qualified person should always calculate the required thickness for your specific loads.

Can I hire or buy road plates?

Yes, you can both hire and buy steel road plates directly from Site Equipment Limited, with fast nationwide delivery available from our network of UK depots.

Considerations

Both standard steel and anti-skid road plates require an appropriately qualified person to calculate the required size and thickness of the road plate needed. The types and size of traffic should also be carefully considered:

For pedestrians: 12mm to 13mm thickness road plate
For vehicles: 20mm to 25mm thickness road plate

We recommend you minimise any change in road level by sinking the plates into the surface so that they sit flush, or by creating a tarmac ramp. If this is not possible, we encourage you to place clear warning signs to advise of any lip or ridge that could cause a hazard to drivers, cyclists or pedestrians.

Dimensions and weights

Size (m)	Thickness (mm)	Weight (kg)
1.2 x 1.2	12	200
1.8 x 1.2	20	370
2.4 x 1.2	20	490
3.0 x 1.5	25	1056
3.0 x 1.5	25	1150
4.0 x 2.0	25	1400

Supplementary ground protection and trench equipment

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