If you’re planning roadworks, utilities work, or any short-term traffic control project, temporary traffic light hire is likely to be high on your to-do list. But with so many options and industry terms floating around, it can be hard to know where to start.
This blog will explain the difference between portable and temporary traffic lights and guide you through the hiring process with SRL, the UK and Ireland’s leading provider of traffic light hire solutions.
What’s the difference between portable and temporary traffic lights?
While the terms portable and temporary traffic lights are often used interchangeably, they do have distinct definitions:
- Portable traffic lights are mounted on wheeled bases, making them easy to move around on-site. Their mobility makes them ideal for short-term or reactive works. Examples of portable traffic lights are SRL’s EuroLight, UltraLight, RadioLight and CityLight.
- Temporary traffic lights, strictly speaking, refer to signals that don’t have wheels. These are typically used for more static deployments and longer-term projects. SRL’s SolarLight is an example of a temporary traffic light. Urban64 is also an intelligent temporary traffic light which can replicate all permanent traffic light works.
Signals differ by a range of different functionality and features which impact their ideal application. For example, do your temporary traffic lights require pedestrian functionality, how long will they be deployed, and how sophisticated is the junction they’ll be placed on?
We understand that terminology can vary across industries. That’s why we offer expert guidance, no matter what type of traffic signals you’re looking to hire. We’ll help you hire the right temporary traffic lights for your needs.
Flexible temporary traffic light hire from SRL
At SRL, we specialise in temporary traffic light hire, supporting customers across a wide range of sectors including highways, utilities, construction and events. Whether you need additional signals to top up your fleet or you’re planning a long-term deployment, we offer two flexible hire options: ad-hoc and contract hire.
SRL operates a wide depot network spanning from Aberdeen to Maidstone, ensuring nationwide coverage and localised support. Our team of over 100 trained traffic light operatives are experts in deploying our signals quickly and efficiently. Using our custom-designed fleet, they deliver and set up portable traffic lights safely on-site, ensuring your works get underway without delay.
1. Ad-Hoc (Short-Term) Hire
- Minimum hire term: 1 week
- Ideal for reactive, emergency works or fleet top-ups
- Supported by SRL’s strategic depot network across the UK and Ireland
- Rapid response: our customer contact centre aim to respond to inquiries within an hour, with an average response time of under 15 minutes
- Fast delivery: We can deliver to site within 2 hours, or you can collect from your nearest depot.
2. Contract (Long-Term) Hire
- Minimum hire term: 1 year
- A cost-effective solution for organisations with ongoing or repeated traffic control needs
- Use signals as and when needed, without the capital outlay of ownership
We’re not a traffic management company, but we know the industry
SRL is not a traffic management company, which means we don’t provide Chapter 8 signage or full traffic management services. However, we work closely with many traffic management professionals and can recommend trusted partners for short-term projects.
We focus on doing one thing brilliantly—manufacturing and supplying reliable, high-performance portable and temporary traffic lights for hire and purchase.
Legal and regulatory considerations
When hiring or deploying temporary traffic lights for use on public roads, it’s essential to ensure the equipment meets the necessary legal and technical standards. TOPAS (Traffic Open Products and Specifications) plays a key role in supporting this.
Local authorities and other organisations purchasing traffic signals and associated equipment typically work under specific contract frameworks tailored to their own requirements. As a result, there is no single standard contract clause suitable for all, but there are consistent industry recommendations that should be followed.
TOPAS registration provides assurance that traffic signal products meet key specifications and are suitable for use on public roads.
At SRL, many of our products are TOPAS registered, ensuring compliance with these evolving industry standards. More information about the various TOPAS accreditations held by SRL’s products can be found on our website. In addition to TOPAS compliance, certain products may also conform to relevant British Standards, including:
- BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations
- BS 7987 – Code of practice for the installation of temporary traffic signals
While compliance with British Standards is not mandatory, it provides further assurance of safety and quality. Hiring from SRL means choosing equipment that not only performs reliably in the field but also aligns with the latest legal and technical frameworks.
Why choose SRL for temporary traffic light hire?
- Extensive network of depots across the UK and Ireland
- Industry-leading response and delivery times
- Flexible short- and long-term hire options
- Decades of expertise in signal technology
- Trusted by traffic management providers, local authorities, and contractors alike
Ready to hire?
Hiring temporary traffic lights from SRL is easy. Contact our Customer Contact Centre via email on contactcentre@srl.co.uk or call 0808 2818 775. Our experienced team will help you choose the best hire solution for your project and get your signals to site quickly.
