Road markings

There are strict guidelines and rules covering the signage and lineage which must be in place. It is illegal for an authority to enforce a Bus Lane which is not correctly signed and adjudicators often uphold appeals where the signs and roadmarkings are not correct or where they are faded. Amazingly many bus lanes are not correctly signed and are therefore unenforceable but the local authorities just carry on enforcing them. By understanding the signs and lines which must be in place you may well be able to have your penalty charge notice cancelled. The required location of the road markings that must be in place are set out below. Click here for signs.

Below: Figure 17-1 This useful diagram by the department of transport shows both the road markings and signs that must be in place in order for a bus lane to be enforceable. The respective signs mentioned are shown above.

Below: Figure 17-2 This useful diagram by the department of transport shows both the road markings and signs that must be in place in order for a contra-flow bus lane to be enforceable. The respective signs mentioned are shown above.

Below are details of the road markings which should be in place. Not all road markings are legal requirements but many adjudicators decisions have been upheld on the bases of incorrect or missing markings. The guidelines as regards road signs and markings are set out in various publications issued by the department of transport.

Below: This is the broken white line required on the taper at the commencement of a Bus Lane. Note the minimum width of the markings and the length of both the white lines and the gaps between them. The taper must not be sharper than 1:10 and must not extend across a side road.
 

Below:  The legend Bus lane to the dimensions set out above should be marked at the commencement of a Bus Lane, after every junction and in conjunction with the sign in diagram 959 at intervals not exceeding 300m along uninterrupted lengths of the Bus Lane.

Below: The Legend Bus and cycle Lane to the dimensions set out above should be marked at the commencement of a contra flow Bus Lane, after every junction and in conjunction with the sign in diagram 959 at intervals not exceeding 300m along uninterrupted lengths of the contra flow Bus Lane. THIS LEGEND MUST NOT BE USED WITH NORMAL WITH FLOW BUS LANES. Only the legend in 1048 may be used on normal with flow bus lanes even where cycles are permitted. 

Below: This is the solid white line which must separate the Bus Lane from the main carriageway, Please note that it must be an absolute minimum of 250mm wide.

Below: This marking should be installed at the end of a Bus Lane. 

> Next Section: Received a bus lane ticket (PCN) - Find out more

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