1000mm Road Traffic Cone - Two-Piece Orange

Who is this for

This road traffic cone is used by traffic management contractors, highways maintenance teams, and utilities operatives deploying on UK public roads at 60mph and above, including motorway approaches, high-speed dual carriageways, and mixed-speed road networks where a single cone height must cover every scenario. It suits procurement teams on local authority and Highways England frameworks where BSI Kitemark certification is a stated requirement. It is equally suited to contractors who prefer to standardise their fleet on the 1000mm height to avoid the compliance risk of deploying the wrong height cone on a high-speed road.

Typical applications

• Chapter 8 lane closure and taper layouts on 60mph roads, dual carriageways, and motorway approaches where a minimum 1000mm cone height is required under the Traffic Signs Manual.

• Motorway contraflow and lane closure operations where cone height and retroreflective performance are both critical to driver guidance at high approach speeds.

• Utility street works on A-roads and high-speed routes for gas, water, telecoms, and electricity maintenance where 750mm cones do not meet the Chapter 8 height requirement.

• Overnight and multi-day motorway and trunk road works where the pocketed prismatic sleeve maintains retroreflective visibility at extended approach distances.

• Construction site traffic management on sites adjacent to or accessing high-speed roads where contractor vehicle movements cross or run alongside live carriageways.

• Public events and temporary road closures on A-roads and dual carriageways where a BSI Kitemarked cone is a condition of the traffic regulation order or local authority licence.

How to use

Step 1: Check the reflective sleeve is correctly seated on the cone body and the top is fully engaged with the base before deployment. On a 1000mm cone, a partially engaged top presents a greater wind loading risk than on a 750mm cone at high-speed road deployments.

Step 2: Place cones at the spacings required by your traffic management plan, consistent with Chapter 8 Table A1.3 for the road type and posted speed limit.

Step 3: Confirm the 1000mm cone is specified in the traffic management plan for the road type being worked on. Do not substitute the 750mm cone on 60mph or above roads.

Step 4: Before night-time or low-visibility deployment, confirm the prismatic sleeve is clean. On high-speed roads, retroreflective performance at extended approach distances is critical. Mud or debris on the sleeve surface reduces this performance.

Step 5: Where a flashing beacon is required, fit the appropriate bracket before attaching the beacon to the cone apex.

Step 6: Stack cones for transport with tops nested and sleeves protected. The additional height of the 1000mm cone means fewer units per stack compared with 750mm cones. Plan loading accordingly.

Step 7: Before redeployment, inspect each cone. Replace cracked tops and split bases individually, only the damaged component needs replacing.

Common mistakes

• Using the 750mm cone on 60mph or above roads: The most common and costly compliance error in traffic management. The Traffic Signs Manual is explicit that 1000mm is the minimum height for high-speed roads. Contractors have faced enforcement action and contract penalties for deploying the wrong height cone on motorway and trunk road works.

• Deploying with a dirty or damaged reflective sleeve: On high-speed roads, approach distances are longer and driver reaction time is more critical. A fouled sleeve that reduces retroreflective performance at 70mph is a significantly greater risk than the same sleeve on a 30mph road.

• Not checking top-to-base engagement after de-stacking: The 1000mm top is longer and heavier than the 750mm equivalent. A partially engaged top is more likely to separate under vehicle draught at motorway speeds. Check every cone before placing.

• Using cones as a substitute for vehicle restraint systems: Road traffic cones are delineation and warning devices only. On motorway and high-speed road works, vehicle restraint systems are specified separately and cones must not be used in their place.

• Standardising on 750mm to save cost on a mixed-speed network: On a road network covering both 30mph streets and 60mph A-roads, deploying 750mm cones across the board creates a compliance gap on every high-speed deployment. The 1000mm cone is compliant at all UK road speeds and speed limits, making it the safer fleet standardisation choice for contractors working across varied road types.

Safety

Deploy in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual and the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. On motorway and high-speed dual carriageway works, a site-specific traffic management plan approved by the relevant highways authority is required before deployment. CDM 2015 places duties on principal contractors to plan and manage traffic routes. Operatives placing or recovering cones on live carriageways must wear EN ISO 20471 Class 3 high-visibility clothing as a minimum. Do not substitute road traffic cones for certificated vehicle restraint systems or pedestrian barriers where those are specified in the traffic management plan.

Maintenance

Wipe the reflective sleeve with a damp cloth after deployment in muddy or contaminated conditions. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents on the sleeve surface. Replace cone tops that are cracked, deformed, or no longer seat correctly on the base. Replace bases that have lost structural integrity or anti-slip profile. Both components are 100% recyclable at end of service life.