When planning site access, every decision shapes your budget, your schedule, and the environment around you. Traditional stone roads have served as the default for temporary site routes for decades, but now a much more practical and sustainable alternative is available. Ground protection mats from GroundGuards are redefining how the UK creates site access, offering genuine savings in time, money, and resources.
Discover the Benefits of Ground Protection Over Stone Roads
Stone roads might seem convenient, but their true costs become clear when you look closer. Every crushed stone access road brings not only transport expenses but also environmental harm and continual maintenance. By switching to ground protection mats, you avoid these problems and gain a solution that installs quickly, adapts with ease, and is better for your budget and the planet.
Why Move Away from Stone Roads?
Building a temporary access route with stone is a complex and resource-heavy task. You need to bring in hundreds of tonnes of material, organise heavy machinery, and commit at least a full day for installation. Once the project ends, removing that stone takes more machinery, additional labour, and incurs extra costs for restoring the site. Ground protection mats, in comparison, are lightweight, reusable, and designed for speedy deployment. They can be lifted and relocated as your project develops, giving you real flexibility without leaving behind mess or hassle.
Stone Roads Compared to Ground Protection
If you compare a standard 100-metre access road using each method, the difference is clear.
Stone Roads:
- Material requirements are high, with about 300 tonnes of crushed stone needed
- Transport involves many lorry journeys, resulting in more fuel use and emissions
- You will need heavy machinery, skilled operators, and an entire day to install
- At the end of the project, you face removal costs, ground restoration, and more waste
Ground Protection Mats:
- You only need lightweight mats, taking up a fraction of the space
- Transport is much easier, requiring less than one lorry, which saves fuel and reduces traffic
- A small crew with minimal equipment can complete installation quickly and quietly
- When the project finishes, mats are simply removed, with little or no ground repair necessary
The Benefits of Choosing Ground Protection
Environmentally Friendly:
Ground protection mats help you avoid dust, noise, and pollution. Without quarrying or large vehicle movements, you dramatically reduce emissions and waste. The end result is a lower carbon footprint and less need for expensive clean-up once work is finished.
Quick and Flexible Installation:
These mats are designed for rapid installation, meaning your team can get to work sooner. Should your site layout change, you can lift and reposition the mats without digging or disruption. This flexibility is ideal for projects where access routes need to shift as the job progresses.
Cost-Efficient:
You will save on transport, equipment, and site restoration. Ground protection mats keep labour and machinery needs to a minimum, and your costs are kept in check from start to finish.
Strong Enough for Every Project
From pedestrian walkways and light vehicle access to the movement of heavy machinery, GroundGuards has a matting system to suit every demand. You can choose lighter mats for general access or ultra-tough versions for the most demanding applications. Unlike stone, these mats provide the necessary strength without the hidden costs or long-term environmental impact.
Find Your Ground Protection Solution
Your next project deserves better than old-fashioned stone roads. By choosing ground protection mats, you gain a practical, sustainable, and cost-effective method for managing site access. The result is cleaner, greener, and faster installation, with your site left in excellent condition when the job is done.
If you are ready to see how ground protection mats could work for your site, contact GroundGuards today. We can help you select the best solution for your specific needs.
