England’s road markings “shameful”: RSMA

12.00 | 13 March 2014 | | 1 comment

Half of all road markings on England’s highways are so worn that they need replacing immediately or need to be scheduled for replacement now, according to a survey of nearly 4,000km of the country’s roads.

LifeLines England, a report based on the survey carried out by the Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA), found that 52% of markings on motorways, 42% on dual carriageways, and 48% on single carriageways, all need replacing immediately or need to be scheduled for replacement now. 

The survey also shows that just 16% of markings on England’s motorways and 13% on single carriageways make the “excellent” grade.

George Lee, national director of the RSMA, said: “Despite continuing to give assurances of their commitment to road safety, those responsible for the upkeep of our roads continue to neglect the most cost-effective safety device available to road engineers, the white line.

“It is shameful that half of the markings on roads in England are so worn out that they need to be replaced.

“These markings have already been paid for because we, as taxpayers, are paying to have the roads maintained properly, including the markings, and this is just not happening. The robust evidence in our survey and in this report proves this to be the case.”

The RSMA says it hopes that the report will help the Highways Agency, local authorities and main contractors, identify where "inadequate attention is being paid to road markings". It says is willing to make all the detailed data from its survey available to any highways authority that requests it.

Full details of LifeLines England and a copy of the report are available at: www.comparethemarkings.com

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    Got to agree with these conclusions, but would go further and suggest that all rural roads as well as those without street lights should have a solid edge line along with a centre line.

    Analysis of the shape made by a corner on the nearside edge of the roadway is perhaps the most important factor that determines the safety of that corner and is especially so at night. All the other stuff like the word SLOW and the speed limit painted on the road we can well do without, but the white edge lines are essential.


    Duncan MacKillop, Stratford on Avon
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