What Can Road Plates Be Used For?

Steel road plates are an integral part of many construction, civil engineering and utility maintenance projects, not to mention public events. They are pivotal in ensuring safety and continuous access wherever the ground is disturbed.
For construction businesses or project managers seeking steel road plates for sale or hire, understanding their diverse applications unlocks safer, more efficient project execution. They work most effectively when utilised alongside other leading security products and services, whether you’re planning a large-scale building renovation, extension or refurbishment, or whether you have recently acquired new premises. The benefits of quality road plates cannot be understated.
This guide explains what steel road plates are, their main uses, and why you should consider partnering with Maltaward for tailored, multi-faceted security products and solutions.
What Are Steel Road Plates?
Steel road plates are robust, heavy-duty covers crafted from mild carbon steel. They are engineered to bridge open excavations, trenches, and surface defects, allowing pedestrians and vehicles to cross safely while they are firmly in place. Such openings in the road may be enforced to allow for the maintenance of underground cables, gas mains, water mains, drainage, and more.
Maltaward provides steel road plates for hire or purchase in various thicknesses and sizes to suit light foot traffic, standard vehicles, or heavy machinery. Our most popular steel road plate sizes (2500 x 1250 x 12mm or 20mm) are available for next-day delivery.
Key Applications of Road Plates
Steel road plates provide critical, temporary access across a range of environments. Their most common uses include (but are not limited to):
- Covering excavations and trenches: Steel road plates enable roads, driveways, and pavements to remain open during essential works by covering open excavations or service trenches.
- Road maintenance and repairs: Whether repairing potholes or conducting major resurfacing, steel plates allow safe passage over potentially disruptive or hazardous surfaces. This is especially helpful in high-traffic areas where closing the road would cause heavy congestion.
- Utility works: Maintenance work on underground cables, gas, water, or drainage lines often requires trenches to be dug. Road plates facilitate the access and movement of personnel and vehicles as utilities are installed or repaired.
- Event infrastructure: Public events and festivals may require temporary paths to be built using concrete barriers and steel fencing alongside road plates, which provide protection over uneven or exposed grounds.
- Heavy vehicle access: For construction vehicles and plant machinery, steel road plates create stable foundations to cross where equipment is unlikely to become stuck or damage the ground underneath.
Features and Benefits of Road Plates
Maltaward’s steel road plates come with features designed to meet diverse project challenges.
- Versatility: Available in several thicknesses (12mm for light vehicles and pedestrians, 20–25mm for HGVs and plant machinery) ensuring safety and durability for every application.
- Heavy duty: BAA-approved road plates come in prefabricated dimensions and are incredibly hardwearing, weighing 883kg.
- Ease of handling: Pre-drilled corner holes allow for quick lifting and placement with site machinery. Custom features such as locking lift systems are available for specific requirements, such as airside or landside delivery.
- Anti-skid surface: Plates can be specified with anti-skid and anti-slip coatings to increase safety in wet or muddy conditions, which are always expected in the UK.
- Weatherproof: By covering open excavations, road plates help prevent water, mud, or debris from accumulating in trenches—a key consideration for utility protection and reducing environmental hazards.
- Custom/bespoke options: Maltaward can provide custom steel road plates of up to 6000 x 3000 x 25mm with additional holes and bevelled edges if required.
Upholding Road Plate Safety
Correct installation is vital for road plate safety. Plates must be appropriate for projected loads, which is why it’s important to consult structural engineering advice if unsure. Maltaward does not provide specific loading data specifications for supplied road plates; it’s your responsibility to confirm load capacity for each application.
Users and installers must validate the stability and conditions of the terrain, ensuring it can support the loads that will be imposed upon it. Road plates will typically be next to or covering a gap or excavation which may be sensitive to heavy loads and, by extension, prone to collapse. Additional loads must be accounted for in the shoring design stage.
For your peace of mind, steel road plates at Maltaward conform to UK road and building industry standards.
Buy or Hire Steel Plates? Both Available Through Maltaward
Businesses can buy steel road plates outright or arrange short- or long-term hire for temporary projects. Maltaward offers competitive rates, expert guidance on product choice, and next-day nationwide delivery on certain types of steel road plates. We aim to take the hassle out of access solutions for roads, infrastructure, and events.
No matter the scale or complexity of your project, steel road plates ensure safe, seamless access and continuous operations. Maltaward’s expert, responsive team will help you select the ideal products, whether you need to buy or hire. To discuss your requirements and get the best solution for your needs, contact Maltaward today for expert, no-obligation guidance.