Engineers question value of white lines

Central white line markings ’serve no safety purpose’ on local roads, and there is evidence suggesting that removing them could reduce speeds, according to the draft Manual for Streets, which is being produced for the DfT (Surveyor, 22 June).

The publication appears to lend weight to Wiltshire County Council’s decision to remove centre markings from 12 village roads where 30mph limits apply. It says that there is no Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) requirement to introduce centre lines, and ‘little research to indicate there are any safety benefits on local roads’.