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Portable and temporary signals

Traffic light asset finance

Fund portable and temporary signal systems for roadworks and events: two-way and multi-phase sets, controllers, batteries, solar charging and trailers. This page covers temporary equipment, not permanent fixed highway infrastructure.

Discuss your requirement 01246 383500

What lenders can usually consider

Lenders prefer capital equipment they can identify and recover. Group each signal set as a bundle with serial numbers for heads, controllers, batteries and trailers so the schedule is clear.

  • Two-way portable signal sets
  • Multi-phase systems
  • Controllers and radio links
  • Batteries and solar charging units
  • Signal trailers
  • Identifiable component bundles with serials

Capital equipment versus consumables

Ask the supplier to separate durable capital equipment and essential system components from consumables, installation, training and service contracts. Replacement parts or cables are not automatically ineligible: treatment depends on whether they form part of the financed system and what the lender accepts.

If you hire or sub-hire signals to other contractors, the agreement normally needs the lender's permission. Some lenders welcome hire fleets; others restrict them.

Current portable signal guidance is published by ARTSM; older GOV.UK advice (TAL 02/11) was withdrawn in October 2023. Suitability for any site rests with your supplier, competent designer and the relevant authority.

Buy, finance or hire?

Steady utilisation

If sets are deployed most weeks, owning through hire purchase may cost less over time than repeated hire, once maintenance and insurance are included.

Peaks and one-off schemes

Short-term hire can cover unusual demand without adding a fixed repayment that continues when the scheme ends.

Compatibility

Check new controllers and heads work with your existing fleet and the systems your customers expect.

Residual value

Technology moves on. Consider what the equipment will be worth, and how usable it will be, at the end of the term.

Costs and risks to weigh honestly

  • Repayments continue when units are off-hire, damaged or awaiting repair.
  • Theft and vandalism on site are real risks; insurance is your responsibility and lenders may ask to see it.
  • Maintenance, battery replacement and calibration are not necessarily included in the agreement.
  • Compatibility problems with existing kit can leave assets underused.
  • Deposits, fees, guarantees and VAT treatment depend on the lender and agreement; ask your accountant about VAT.

Sorbus Finance is a broker, not a lender, and works with a selected panel of lenders rather than the whole market. Costs, deposits and any guarantee or security depend on the proposal and agreement. Ask for a written breakdown of lender and any broker fees. VAT and tax treatment depend on the structure and your business circumstances; speak to your accountant.

Lender and document checklist

  • Supplier quote split into capital equipment and consumables
  • Serial numbers or bundle schedule for each set
  • Utilisation records for your current signals
  • Whether units will be hired or sub-hired to others
  • Insurance cover including theft
  • Latest accounts and bank statements
  • Existing finance commitments
  • Customer and contract mix
Send us what you have

Who you could speak to

Arran Turner, Managing Director at Sorbus Finance

Arran Turner

Managing Director

General commercial finance and how Sorbus works

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Graham Nash, Commercial Finance Director at Sorbus Finance

Graham Nash

Commercial Finance Director

Business loans, cash flow and wider commercial funding

Profile
  1. STEP 1

    A conversation with a broker

    You talk to a real Sorbus broker about the business, the purpose and what is affordable. No application at this stage.

  2. STEP 2

    Credit placement

    If you choose to go further, we prepare the case and decide which lenders on our panel of 150+ are worth approaching.

  3. STEP 3

    Lender assessment

    The lender, not Sorbus, underwrites and makes the credit decision. Approval is never guaranteed.

  4. STEP 4

    Documentation

    If a lender offers terms and you accept, we help coordinate agreements and payout paperwork with you.

Every step after the first is optional. You can stop after the conversation. Sorbus is a broker, not a lender.

Client journey

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Enquire about Traffic Light Asset Finance

Start with a conversation

Tell us a little about what you need and who you would like to speak to. No obligation, no credit check at this stage. We aim to respond within one business day, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm.

A preference, not an appointment. We pass it on where we can. We aim to respond within one business day, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. This is an aim, not a guaranteed callback time.

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Prefer to call?

Speak directly to an adviser Monday–Friday, 9am–5:30pm.

01246 383500

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Optional: Business Finance Health Check

Before applying for traffic light asset finance, understand your lending readiness, resilience score, and exit strategy, in under 5 minutes.

Take the short Health Check

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Want the full picture? The full fact-find is longer and also optional.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance portable traffic lights?+

Yes, subject to lender assessment. Identifiable portable signal sets, controllers, batteries, solar charging and trailers are commonly funded through hire purchase or finance lease.

Does this cover permanent traffic signals?+

No. This page covers portable and temporary signals. Fixed highway infrastructure is a different type of project and is not automatically treated the same way by lenders.

Are spare lamps, cables and servicing included?+

Do not assume they are included. Essential components may be considered within a capital-equipment bundle, while consumables, spare parts and ongoing services may need separate funding. Ask the supplier to itemise the quote and the lender to confirm what is eligible.

Can I hire financed signals to other contractors?+

Only with the lender's permission. Many agreements restrict hiring or sub-hiring, so mention it before you apply.

Is it better to buy or hire signals?+

It depends on utilisation. Steady use can favour buying on finance; peaks and one-off schemes may suit short-term hire, because finance repayments continue when units are off-hire.

Which guidance applies to portable signals?+

Current portable signal guidance is published by ARTSM, and roadworks design and operations sit within Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual. Your supplier, competent designer and authority decide suitability for each site.

Price up your next signal sets

Send the supplier quote, the equipment list and how the sets will be used. We will help you compare suitable options across our lender panel.

Start your enquiry Call 01246 383500
01246 383500