Road Cones & Traffic Cone Types

When choosing road cones there are a few factors to consider. It's essential to choose the right type for your particular needs, especially if large quantities are required. This article will explain the differences between the different types of road cones and traffic cones that we provide.

Types of road cone

We sell three main types of road cone: the highwayman road cone, the budget road cone,  and "no waiting" cones. The differences are as follows:

Highwayman cone

The highwayman traffic cone is our most popular cone, used throughout the UK by most traffic management companies. The highwayman traffic cones have a two-part construction with a heavily-weighted base and lightweight top, making them very stable with a low centre of gravity. This weight distribution also makes them very easy to set out as they can be dropped into place from the back or side of a vehicle, and they generally stay put and stand where they fall. The highwayman road cone features a retroreflective band that reflects light specifically back at its source (i.e. the driver of a car).

Budget cone

The budget traffic cone (or E cone) is a budget traffic cone made in one piece, which makes it cheaper to buy and slightly lighter in weight than the highwayman cones. It also comes with a retroreflective band. These cones are frequently used on road works all over the UK. Due to their cheaper cost, it's not so expensive to replace the traffic cones if they get run over.

No waiting cones

No waiting cones are a specialised type of cone that is supplied in either a "warden" format or a "conical" format. Both cones have a two-part construction and are therefore very stable when being set out, as well as being very resistant to wind due to their low height. They are used to mark areas where people should not park, so are ideal for reserving parking spaces or stopping people from parking on a roadside when there are no double yellows.

Sizes of traffic cones

The sizing of cones is important. However, it is only normally applicable to standard-type traffic cones such as the highwayman and budget cones. When using these cones,  you need to ensure that you're using the correct height of cone for the environment it's deployed in. There are 3 sizes available for the highwayman road cone: 500mm, 750mm, and 1000mm. For the budget cones, the sizes available are 500mm and 750mm. The no waiting cones are only available in 500mm height.

For more information, check out our previous guide: Correct Traffic Cone and Road Sign Sizing.

Road legality

The only one of the above cones that should not be used on a UK highway or roadway is the conical no waiting road cone. This is because of its shape. It is, however, ideal for use on private car parks and outside office blocks, as its cheaper price tag makes it more cost-effective to use.

If you need any further assistance in choosing a road cone, please contact our sales team.

In a later article we will cover the accessories available for use with our traffic cones.