No To White Lines?

Central white lines have been removed in some roads in the UK. Does this spell the end of central road marking?

17:50 04 February 2016

Experts said that removing central road marking can make our roads safer as it encourages motorists to slow down. 

 

The first trials to remove the central white line from roads in the UK started over 10 years ago. Between 1997 and 2002, Wiltshire County Council has stopped repainting the said lines.

 

A more recent trial, which started in 2014, saw sections of three roads – one in central London and two in Croydon – had their lines removed. 

 

Since then, the white lines have disappeared on about 20 roads in the country.

 

Following the trial, Transport for London (TfL) said that there has been a “statistically significant reduction in vehicle speeds” on roads where central markings were removed.

 

Tracy Jessop, assistant director of transport at Norfolk County Council, said: "In most cases we've noticed some positive impacts on the road network. There has been reductions in speed.”

 

"It does also reduce their journey time because they all become a little bit more aware of people around them and that has been very helpful also for casualty reduction."

 

However, Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, warned highways authorities "have to get the balance right".

 

"Most deaths in the UK take place on rural single carriageways and white lining is a key tool in the road designers' armoury and should remain as an option to treat routes with a poor record.”

 

"Throw in the need for new connected cars to be able to read the road and the vision needs of an ageing driving population and the case for white lines is still very strong."