Traffic Cones Buyers Guide: Which Type Do You Need?
Introduction
Traffic cones are one of the most versatile pieces of safety equipment available — used everywhere from motorway roadworks and construction sites to car parks, events, and school playgrounds. But not all cones are the same. Choosing the right type for your environment affects safety, compliance, and long-term cost.
This guide by Cocus covers the main types of traffic cones and barriers available, what the UK compliance standards actually mean, and how to pick the right product for your specific use case.
1. Standard Highway Traffic Cones
The classic choice for roadworks, motorways, and high-traffic environments. Standard highway cones are designed to BS EN 13422:2004 and are the go-to option for any situation where vehicles are travelling at speed.
Traff Tex Reflective Highway Road Traffic Cones
Made from 100% recycled materials, these 750mm cones are built for durability and high visibility in all conditions. R1B reflective sleeves ensure they meet Chapter 8 Traffic Signs Manual requirements, making them suitable for motorways and high-impact road works. Fully stackable for easy transport and storage. From £14.34.
No Waiting Traffic Cones
A specialist cone pre-printed with "No Waiting" messaging — ideal for car parks, loading bays, and controlled parking areas. Built from 100% recycled material, compliant with BS EN 13422 and Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual. From £11.94.
2. Collapsible & Pop-Up Traffic Cones
Where storage space is at a premium — service vans, car boots, or small site huts — collapsible cones offer the same compliance as standard cones without the storage headache.
UK Road Compliant Pop-Up Traffic Cones
These 75cm cones collapse to just 6cm — meaning a full set fits in the smallest van or car boot. Fully road-compliant for UK use, with no compromise on stability or visibility when deployed. An ideal solution for mobile workers, emergency vehicles, and anyone who needs cones on standby without dedicating half their vehicle to storage. From £41.94 per set.
3. Traffic Cone & Barrier Kits
For sites that need to cordon off larger areas — construction zones, event perimeters, pedestrian management — cone and barrier kits combine traffic cones with retractable barrier tape in a single deployment-ready pack.
Traffic Cone & Retractable Barrier Kits
Available in 2, 4, and 8-cone packs, each set includes 750mm heavy-duty cones made from 100% recycled material paired with a 3m retractable barrier. No assembly required — deploy instantly. The barrier connects between cones to create a continuous, high-visibility cordon. From £58.74 for a 2-cone pack up to £233.94 for an 8-cone set.
3M Retractable Cone Traffic Barrier Topper
Already have cones? This barrier topper clips onto any standard UK traffic cone and provides a 3-metre retractable red and white chevron tape between cones. Weatherproof, UV-rated polypropylene. A cost-effective way to upgrade existing cones to a full cordon. From £15.54.
4. Chapter 8 Pedestrian Barriers
Chapter 8 barriers are the standard for controlled pedestrian and traffic separation at roadworks, street works, and public events. They're a legal requirement on many public highway sites.
Chapter 8 Safety Pedestrian Barrier — 2M
Manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and meeting both Chapter 8 Street Works and BS 8442:2015 standards, these 2m barriers are the correct choice for any public highway or pedestrian management application. Features 360° rotating anti-trip feet, an interlocking system, and easy stack-ability for storage and transport. £59.94 per barrier.
5. How to Choose the Right Traffic Cones
The right cone depends on where you're using it, who's at risk, and how long it'll be deployed. Here are the four key decisions:
1. Road Speed and Environment
For motorways and A-roads where vehicles travel at 50mph+, you need cones that are BS EN 13422 and Chapter 8 compliant — like the Traff Tex Highway Cones. For car parks, events, or low-speed sites, almost any cone will do the job, and you have more flexibility on size and style.
2. Standard vs. Specialist
Most sites need standard orange cones. But if you're managing parking, consider No Waiting cones with pre-printed messaging. If you're cordoning off a large area, cone and barrier kits are faster to deploy than individual cones with separate barrier tape.
3. Storage and Portability
If you're operating from a van or need cones on standby in a vehicle, pop-up cones are the practical answer. For site storage where space isn't an issue, full-size stackable cones are more cost-effective per unit.
4. Quantity and Budget
A single cone costs from around £12. For larger requirements — 20+ cones for a construction site or event — buying in bulk significantly reduces the per-unit cost. Kits that combine cones and barriers are often better value than buying components separately.
6. Traffic Cones Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What size traffic cone do I need for roadworks?
For most roadworks on public highways, 750mm cones are the standard. For motorways and high-speed dual carriageways, larger 1m cones are typically required. Both must carry R1B reflective sleeves to comply with Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.
Q2: Do I need Chapter 8 compliant cones for private sites?
Chapter 8 compliance is a legal requirement for work on or adjacent to public highways. For private sites — car parks, warehouses, factory yards — standard cones without Chapter 8 certification are perfectly acceptable and considerably cheaper.
Q3: How many traffic cones do I need?
It depends on the length of the cordon and the speed of passing traffic. As a rough guide, cones should be spaced 1–2 metres apart at low speeds, and up to 10–12 metres apart at high speeds. For a 20-metre cordon on a 30mph road, you'd need roughly 10–20 cones depending on the lane setup.
Q4: Can I use traffic cones for pedestrian management at events?
Yes — standard cones work well for directing pedestrian flow. For more structured crowd management, cone and barrier kits or post and chain barriers create cleaner, more visible cordons.
Q5: Are recycled traffic cones as durable as standard cones?
Yes. The Traff Tex highway cones and many of our other cones are made from 100% recycled materials — this is now standard practice in the industry. Recycled LDPE and HDPE offer the same durability and impact resistance as virgin plastic, and often better UV resistance.
Q6: Can I buy traffic cones and barriers from Cocus?
Yes — we stock a full range of traffic cones and barriers at Cocus, with next-day delivery available on selected products. We supply businesses, contractors, councils, and event organisers across the UK from our Manchester warehouse.
Conclusion
Choosing the right traffic cone comes down to where it's being used and what standards apply. For public highway work, Chapter 8 compliant cones are non-negotiable. For private sites and events, you have more flexibility — and options like pop-up cones or cone-and-barrier kits can save significant time and storage space.
Browse our full range of traffic cones, barriers, and traffic management equipment at Cocus — all items ship from our Manchester warehouse with next-day delivery available on selected products.