Poor marks for UK’s white lines

The UK’s road markings are said to be vanishing rapidly, according to a new survey by a leading highways organisation. A snapshot survey of nearly 500 miles by the Road Safety Markings Association (RMSA) revealed that well over half of white lines in Scotland and Wales are almost non-existent, and England’s fare little better. On average, the RSMA survey found that 50.6% of the UK’s surveyed road markings are barely visible. And almost a quarter (23%) of roads are classified as needing ‘emergency repairs’.
June 19, 2012 Read time: 1 min
UK's vanishing white lines present road safety problem. Picture: Bauke Karel.
The UK’s road markings are said to be vanishing rapidly, according to a new survey by a leading highways organisation.

A snapshot survey of nearly 500 miles by the 5149 Road Safety Markings Association (RMSA) revealed that well over half of white lines in Scotland and Wales are almost non-existent, and England’s fare little better. On average, the RSMA survey found that 50.6% of the UK’s surveyed road markings are barely visible. And almost a quarter (23%) of roads are classified as needing ‘emergency repairs’. Less than 7% of road markings scored the highest rating.

The RSMA carried out the latest spot-check across a range of motorways and major A roads managed by the 2309 Highways Agency, and lesser A and B roads managed by local authorities.
Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • WJ Guardian system keeps stud installers safer in workzones
    January 26, 2017
    WJ’s latest innovation is a method of road stud installation designed to remove vulnerable operatives from the carriageway The bespoke design of the WJ Guardian system allows the complete road stud installation process to take place while protecting operatives within an integrated safety cell of an 18tonne truck. The UK has used 12 million road studs on its national and local road network, all requiring maintenance or replacement at some point. Traditional methods of installation by hand or milling ma
    Read More
  • Mobile measuring of road markings
    February 9, 2012
    Road markings and raised pavements markers (RPMs) are important tools in securing efficient and safe traffic flow, and the high visibility of both is an important task in road maintenance, says DELTA.
    Read More
  • Highways England urges driver caution
    December 4, 2020
    In the past three years in England, 6,500 vehicles have driven into roadworks.
    Read More
  • India’s road to safety
    September 5, 2012
    India's growth rate is the envy of the world, and its infrastructure is rapidly improving, but its road safety record is the world's worst. Patrick Smith reports on a conference aimed at finding answers to the problems Ambling through the gardens and marble magnificence that is the Taj Mahal or gazing down on the city of Jaipur from the hilltop Jaigarh Fort is far removed from the world outside.
    Read More

Highlighted Content