The Essential Guide to Traffic Cones: More Than Just Orange Markers

03 June 2025Appears in Products
The Essential Guide to Traffic Cones: More Than Just Orange Markers
Often seen as simple orange markers, traffic cones play a critical role in safety and traffic management. Understanding their purpose and features is key to their effective use, whether you're managing a construction site or directing event traffic.

 

What Are Traffic Cones Used For?

Traffic cones, or road cones, are an ideal solution for several crucial purposes. Primarily, they're used for marking out perimeters to prevent vehicles from parking in designated areas. Beyond that, they serve to make both pedestrians and drivers aware of potential hazards, ensuring everyone's safety around temporary obstacles or changing road conditions.

Key Features for Visibility and Durability

A major reason for their widespread use is their design, which focuses on visibility and practicality. Road cones are notably lightweight and easy to transport, making them simple to deploy and reposition as needed. They're specifically designed to be highly visible at all hours of the day and night, even in poorer weather conditions like rain or fog.

Their construction also contributes significantly to their durability. Most traffic cones are made from UV stabilised Polyethylene, which helps them withstand harsh outdoor elements without degrading. To further enhance visibility, especially in low light, they often feature highly reflective sleeves. However, it's worth noting that these reflective sleeves are typically not included with "no waiting" cones.

Types, Sizes, and Accessories

Road cones are available in a range of heights and styles to suit different needs. You'll find common sizes like:

500mm High Road Cones

750mm High Road Cones

1000mm High Road Cones

Specific styles like No Waiting Cones are also available in both Conical and Warden designs.

For larger projects or consistent use, these high-visibility cones can be purchased in bulk pallet deals. You can find options such as 500mm cones in pallets of up to 200, 750mm cones in pallets of up to 150, and 1000mm high cones in convenient 100-cone package deals.

Cone Accessorises 

To increase visibility even further, particularly at night or around road works, several accessories can be used:

Lamps: You can easily attach lamps to the tops of cones using brackets. These can be left on overnight to significantly increase awareness of hazards for pedestrians and motorists.

Telescopic Demarcation Poles: These poles can be used with traffic cones to create a temporary barrier system, ideal for cordoning off areas. They extend and collapse for easier transportation and installation.

Common Applications for Traffic Cones

The versatility of traffic cones means they're indispensable across a wide range of applications:

Construction Sites: Directing traffic, marking hazardous areas, or delineating work zones.

Roadworks & Maintenance: Guiding vehicles and pedestrians safely around ongoing repairs or temporary obstructions.

Event Management: Creating clear pathways, managing queues, or sectioning off areas at festivals, sports events, and markets.

Parking Management: Designating temporary parking restrictions, directing flow in car parks, or reserving spaces.

Emergency Situations: Quickly marking accident scenes or diverting traffic during an incident.

Pedestrian Safety: Highlighting uneven surfaces, temporary detours, or dangerous zones for foot traffic.

Need Cones for a Short-Term Project? Consider Hire!

For projects that don't require a permanent purchase, or for fluctuating needs, hiring traffic cones is an excellent and cost-effective solution. This allows you to access the exact quantity and type of cones you need for the duration of your project without the upfront investment of buying. At First Fence, we understand that flexibility is key. We offer a convenient cone hire service, ensuring you have the right equipment when and where you need it.

In summary, road cones are vital safety tools, distinguished by their visibility, durability, and versatility. With various sizes, styles, compatible accessories, and the option for flexible hire, they effectively enhance traffic management and safety in countless scenarios.

Contact us

For more information on our traffic management cones, please give our team a call on 01283 512111 or email sales@firstfence.co.uk.

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