Ground protection mat hire for UK event organisers: compare

Compare GroundGuards, Davis Trackhire and MOJO Rental on route assessment, vehicle-access systems and installation/removal support—not headline load ratings.[2][3][4] GroundGuards says capacity depends on ground condition, tyre footprint and load distribution.[2] The comparison below covers advertised services, not independently verified performance.[2][3][4]

Compare the services your route needs

GroundGuards

• Pre-hire assessment: GroundGuards asks about ground condition, the heaviest load, route length, hire duration and required width, particularly at turns.[2]
• Vehicle-access system selection: It advertises several mat systems, including MaxiTrack and XtremeMat, with capacity dependent on the ground, tyre footprint and load distribution.[2]
• Installation/removal support: Its serviced hire includes route planning, risk assessments and method statements (RAMS), delivery, installation, fitting connections, a joint route walk-through, adjustments where needed, handover and subsequent removal.[2]

Davis Trackhire

• Pre-hire assessment: Davis describes a baseline telephone quote based on trackway type and area, followed by a comprehensive on-site assessment to refine the configuration.[3]
• Vehicle-access system selection: It discusses HDPE/composite mats and aluminium trackway, distinguishing lighter pedestrian provision from heavier-duty vehicle-access areas.[3]
• Installation/removal support: Davis describes delivery and installation scheduling and removal planning, but advises customers to ensure these services are included in the quotation.[3]

MOJO Rental

• Pre-hire assessment: MOJO describes reviewing the surface, load weight and access routes before selecting a system.[4]
• Vehicle-access system selection: Its range covers turf, heavy-duty and hybrid systems, including drivable options such as AliMat, EuroMat and TerraTrakPlus.[4]
• Installation/removal support: MOJO describes agreeing installation windows, deploying panels in sequence, checking stability and performance under load, and dismantling with the intention of protecting the underlying ground.[4]

Send each supplier the same site brief

Ask each shortlisted supplier to quote against the same brief, marking missing details as “to confirm before approval”. Include:

• Location and vehicles: Event address, supplier vehicle types and weights, heaviest expected load, and outstanding vehicle information.[1][2][3][5]
• Ground and weather: Surface type and condition, identifying soft, rutted, sloping or waterlogged areas; recent rainfall and forecast concerns.[2][3][5]
• Route and area: Route length, required width including turns, proposed vehicle and pedestrian areas, total linear or square metres, and drawings or photographs showing access points.[1][2][3]
• Timing: Ready-for-use date, removal date, hire duration and special requirements.[2][3]

Bradford Council’s guidance for events in Bradford calls for venue and ground assessment, trader vehicle details, and layouts that segregate pedestrians and vehicles or exclude traffic where appropriate.[1]

Ask each supplier to return a marked-up route proposal with explicit assumptions, identify who will assess ground suitability, and say whether further competent assessment is needed. Davis describes its telephone quote as a baseline followed by an on-site assessment for a more accurate configuration.[3] Do not treat that quotation process as engineering approval of the ground.

Check the route, mat system and installation

Ask for a layout showing the chosen system along the access route, through turns and across working areas—not simply a product name. GroundGuards highlights width at turns, while Davis distinguishes pedestrian protection from heavier-duty vehicle access.[2][3]

Ask the supplier to justify the configuration for the stated vehicles and ground conditions. Request written confirmation of:

• Turning space and restrictions: Suitable widths and turning space, plus operational limits for the vehicles. GroundGuards specifically flags turning width as a selection factor.[2]
• Installation details: Connections, installation method and necessary ground preparation. GroundGuards advertises hand or plant installation and fitted connections within serviced hire.[2]
• Handover: When installation and checks will finish before deliveries begin. GroundGuards advertises a joint route walk-through and handover; MOJO describes sequential panel installation followed by stability and operational checks under load.[2][4]

Agree rain inspections and authority to stop access

Davis recommends updating assessments as conditions change; GT Trax advises considering recent rainfall and forecasts.[3][5] MOJO describes final stability and performance checks.[4] Ask MOJO to confirm a rain-triggered inspection interval and formal stop-access rule in writing.

Agree an ongoing inspection and access-control plan in writing, rather than assuming handover checks cover it:

• Name the inspection lead and deputy.
• Agree inspection timing and weather or ground-condition triggers.
• Specify how findings and decisions will be recorded and shared.
• Name who can stop access and how drivers and delivery coordinators will be notified.
• Identify who authorises reopening and what reassessment they require.

Ask the responsible assessor or supplier to define site-specific triggers and contingency arrangements, including where deliveries should wait if access closes. Obtain acceptance of these duties before booking rather than choosing a generic rainfall or rut-depth limit.

Agree removal, damage and reinstatement duties

GroundGuards advertises removing mats and leaving the site tidy; MOJO describes dismantling intended to protect the ground and provide a clean handover.[2][4] Ask GroundGuards and MOJO to confirm contractual responsibility for repairing ruts, compaction or damaged turf in writing.[2][4]

Before installation, seek written agreement on:

• A joint condition record, including photographs.
• Named parties to assess damage and resolve disputed causes or repair costs.
• Who pays for reinstatement, its scope, any agreed turf replacement, the repair standard and completion deadline.
• Who accepts the finished work and signs off the site.
• Who decides whether removal conditions are unsuitable, and how delays and resulting costs will be handled.

Bradford Council expects organisers to retain overall control and take reasonable precautions throughout an event.[1] Keep that oversight distinct from the contractual allocation of ground-repair costs.

What to confirm with each provider

The GroundGuards, Davis Trackhire and MOJO Rental pages do not state complete hire prices, disruption terms or contractual inspection and reinstatement duties.[2][3][4] Ask each supplier to separate included items, optional services and exclusions:

• Hire scope: Mat system, quantity, hire period, minimum hire and any assessment costs.
• Full price: Delivery, installation, removal, VAT, deposits and damage/loss charges.
• Disruption terms: Cancellation, postponement, weather-abandonment, extension and refunds, including notice periods and delayed-collection charges.
• Responsibilities: Inspection, stopping and reopening access, reinstatement costs and final sign-off.

Davis specifically advises checking delivery, installation and removal are included in the quotation.[3] Compare the total for the agreed scope and potential disruption charges—not only the mat-hire line.

Choose the proposal that addresses the vehicle mix and ground conditions, with an assessed route, justified system and accepted responsibilities. Resolve material unknowns before booking.

References

1. General Guidance – event planning | Bradford Council (bradford.gov.uk)
2. Ground Protection Mats & Trackway Hire UK | GroundGuards (ground-guards.co.uk)
3. Festival ground protection: How to plan for your upcoming event (davistrackhire.com)
4. Event Trackway Hire | Ground Protection & Event Flooring UK (mojorental.co.uk)
5. Top 10 Ground Protection Essentials for the Events Industry (gttrax.co.uk)