Almost a third of single-lane A roads in the UK have white lines that are so worn they do not meet acceptable standards, according to a Lifelines report that assessed more than 2,400km of the UK’s road network.
The Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) has reported that the UK’s most dangerous roads have the most worn centre line markings, making it difficult for drivers to see the road.
Two thirds of deaths and serious injuries on UK roads occur on rural A roads. However, across more than 60 single-lane A roads surveyed (over 1,600km in total), an average of 14% of road markings were completely worn out; a further 15% of road markings were in the ‘yellow’ zone and required immediate replacement. According to RSMA, only 29% of markings achieved acceptable levels of visibility.
On one of the worst roads inspected – a 5-mile stretch of the A6135 between junction 36 of the M1 at Ecclesfield and Hoyland in Yorkshire, northern England – three-quarters of the road markings were either barely visible or in need of immediate replacement, with only 1% meeting standard. Two other sections of road also had almost half of their markings removed: the A645 in Yorkshire/Humberside and the A509 in Northamptonshire.
The Lifelines Report singles out two single-carriageway A roads: the 14.5-mile (22.5km) A1133 in the East Midlands, where three-quarters of the road markings are up to standard (up from 93% two years ago), and the 10-mile (16km) A63 between Leeds and Hull.
The quality of road markings on Class A major roads is similar to that on motorways. Of the more than 750 km of Class A roads and motorways surveyed, a fifth of the markings did not meet the minimum required standards and needed replacing, while 8% had centre lines so worn that they were virtually illegible. Most road markings (39% of dual carriageway markings and 38% of motorway markings) met the recommended industry standards, although quality has declined significantly since 2008, when 69% of dual carriageway markings and 49% of motorway markings met the standard.
The highest rating was given to the A303 dual carriageway (between Basingstoke in Hampshire and Honiton in Devon, southern England), which scored 86 per cent, while the M65 in Lancashire, north-west England, scored 91 per cent.
Bottom of the Motorway Alliance’s rankings is the M61 in the north-west, where more than a quarter of the motorway has barely noticeable road markings, and a fifth of the dual carriageway A27 (in the south of England) has poor road markings.
“These motorways and strategic A roads are managed by the Highways Agency 2309, which has clear standards for the quality of road markings,” said RSMA national director George Lee. “Two years ago, just 2 per cent of our major road network was effectively unmarked. That number has risen at an alarming rate and now almost a tenth of our trade routes are badly deteriorated.”
The majority of the single carriageway Category A roads included in the study are under the sole responsibility of local authorities. RSMA is concerned that the Highways Agency road marking ratings (see below) have never been formally adopted by local authorities, resulting in inconsistent road maintenance standards across the UK and the potential for serious under-maintenance identified in the RSMA report. The risk of head-on collisions on single carriageway roads is high, so centre line markings are critical to ensuring the safety of road users on these roads.
When it comes to developing specific safety measures, the role of government is to provide well-founded and evidence-based advice to local highways authorities. I believe this year’s Lifelines report provides sufficient evidence of public concern to justify an inquiry by the House Transport Committee, which is what we are seeking.
Road markings are the most convenient navigation tool for drivers who need to be able to “read” the road at every turn. Without this minimal investment, drivers will drive blind, when in fact we can save lives for the cost of a can of paint.
Road markings are rated based on their reflectivity. The industry-recommended level is 150 millicandelas (mcd), and there are road marking materials on the market that can ensure that the markings are clearly visible even in wet weather at night. According to the Highways Agency’s standards, if the quality of road markings is below 100 mcd, they should be replaced; if the quality is below 80 mcd, they should be replaced immediately.
RSMA is concerned that Highways Agency road marking ratings have never been formally adopted by local authorities, resulting in inconsistent road maintenance standards across the UK and the potential for serious under-maintenance identified in the RSMA report.
Post time: May-19-2025