Fences Along Motorways

When travelling along the motorway, fencing is something most people rarely notice, yet it plays a vital role in keeping both drivers and the surrounding environment safe. From preventing animals from wandering onto the carriageway to reducing traffic noise for nearby communities, motorway fencing is designed with purpose and performance in mind.

Why Fences Along Motorways Exist

The primary purpose of motorway fencing is safety. Barriers help prevent vehicles from leaving the road and protect pedestrians or animals from entering it. Livestock or wildlife on a motorway can cause serious accidents, so fencing provides an essential line of defence.

Fencing also helps control access, ensuring that only authorised personnel can enter restricted areas such as service roads, embankments, or maintenance zones. In some locations, it serves a secondary function such as reducing headlight glare or limiting the spread of litter and debris from the roadside.

Types of Fencing Used Along Motorways

In this blog, we will not be covering steel crash barriers (commonly known as Armco) or any vehicle restraint systems (VRS) designed to control and redirect vehicles at the edge of motorways; instead, we will focus on the various types of fencing used for other purposes along the motorway network.

Several types of fencing are commonly used next to motorways depending on the specific needs of the location.

Acoustic Fencing

In areas where motorways run close to residential or commercial zones, acoustic fencing helps reduce the noise generated by heavy traffic. These specialist barriers are made from composite, metal and timber and are designed to absorb or reflect sound, improving living conditions for nearby communities while blending with the environment.  Note the system (not just individual components) must be UKCA marked to BS EN 14388.  In addition, they can help light pollution from car headlights. Read our blog on 'What is an acoustic fence?'

Closeboard Fencing

Closeboard fencing provides both strength and privacy. It is sometimes used where screening is required or where an attractive, traditional appearance is preferred. Built from robust vertical boards, it offers durability and effective containment. Similar to acoustic fencing, because the fence is solid, they should help with light pollution and direct light from vehicles.  Also read our blog on which way pales of a Closeboard fence should face, as it is common that these style of fences have boards that run alternative ways between the posts.    

Post and Rail Fencing

A simple but effective design, post and rail fencing is used along rural stretches of motorway or around maintenance compounds. It helps define boundaries and deter access without obstructing visibility.  It also stops cattle from accessing the motorway.

Environmental or Wildlife Fencing

To protect local habitats, environmental fencing may be installed to guide animals safely around or under roads via crossings or tunnels. Examples include amphibian and reptile fencing, which prevents small animals from entering carriageways during migration periods.  Read our blog on 'What is newt fencing?'

Snow Fences

In areas prone to snow and high winds, snow fences play an important role in reducing drifting. They control how snow accumulates, preventing dangerous build-ups that could block lanes or reduce visibility.  Often orange, these are not found in the UK so much but are used as a temporary measure. 

Built for Purpose and Proven for Safety

Given the importance of motorway fencing, strength and reliability are non-negotiable. Fencing must be built for purpose and tested to ensure it can withstand the demanding conditions of the roadside environment.

Products should be UKCA marked or manufactured/treated under the National Highways Sector Schemes (NHSS), demonstrating compliance with rigorous safety and quality standards.

Choosing fencing that meets the correct standards, installed by qualified professionals, provides peace of mind that it will perform as intended in all conditions.

What are the consequences of the incorrect fencing used?

Poorly manufactured, incorrectly specified, or improperly installed fencing can have serious consequences. Imagine large sections of fencing collapsing or being blown onto the carriageway during poor visibility conditions; the result could be a multi-vehicle collision with devastating implications for both safety and traffic flow.

Many of us regularly travel on motorways such as the M1, M2, M5, M6, and M25. If you work in highway fencing, you may have noticed that some installations appear precarious or poorly maintained. The day a major incident occurs because fencing debris ends up on the carriageway will be the day that highways authorities, contractors, and installers come under intense scrutiny. Whether it is a fence that has rotted within a few years and broken away from its posts, or an acoustic panel that has been UKCA marked individually rather than as a complete system, the consequences could be severe. Just as the cladding industry came under national scrutiny following the Grenfell tragedy, the fencing sector must also recognise the importance of correct specification, installation, and long-term maintenance. Why do we have to wait for a serious accident before action is taken? Too often, issues arise due to a lack of understanding, cost cutting by contractors, or sheer incompetence; none of which are acceptable when public safety is at stake. This is precisely why fencing must be treated as a safety-critical element of motorway infrastructure

NHSS 2B (National Highways Sector Scheme 2B)

This is the recognised quality standard for the installation, maintenance, and repair of fencing and

environmental barriers on the UK’s strategic road network. It ensures that all works are carried out by trained and competent personnel, using approved materials and methods that meet strict quality, safety, and environmental standards. Aligned with ISO 9001, NHSS 2B is mandatory for Highways England projects and helps ensure consistency, traceability, and legal compliance across all fencing-related works.  Certificates for suppliers can be found on the UKAS website - UKAS CertCheck - Verify Accredited Management System Certificates

UKCA Marking 

Fencing products that fall under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) must carry UKCA marking. This includes:

• Acoustic barriers (to BS EN 14388)
• Structural fencing components where applicable

"It’s important to note that UKCA marking of a noise barrier isn’t a collection of test certificates and reports on individual components; rather, consideration is given to the full noise barrier system whose performance as a whole should be expected to meet the requirements for the road infrastructure."

"UKCA marked single components that are combined to make a noise barrier are not considered a UKCA marked system unless the combination of post, panel, fixings and installation have been Type tested to BS EN 14388:2005. For example, a manufacturer of panels can have their panels Type tested to BS EN 14388-2005 and subject to passing; these panels can be UKCA marked along with the noise barrier system that they comprise. However, if the complete noise barrier system does not have the required Declaration of Performance and has not been Type tested, it cannot be UKCA marked."

The above is referenced from UKCA Regulations for Road Noise | Jacksons Security Fencing

The Right Fence for Every Motorway Environment

Every motorway setting presents unique challenges, from noise reduction to wildlife control and weather management. Selecting the right fencing solution requires expertise, high-quality materials, and proven performance and contractors not cutting corners on price.