Are White Centre Lines on UK Roads Slowly Disappearing - and does it make them Safer?

You are driving along a familiar stretch of road when something feels wrong.

The dashed white line that normally separates you from oncoming traffic is gone. There is no barrier, no visual reassurance — just open tarmac.

Supporters of this approach argue that the discomfort is the point. Without the clear division of lanes, drivers may instinctively slow down, becoming more alert and cautious. But does removing the centre line actually make roads safer, or is it a risky experiment?

Slowing Traffic by Design

The idea of removing central road markings is not new. Some of the earliest UK trials date back more than a decade.

Between 1997 and 2002, Wiltshire County Council stopped repainting centre lines on certain roads after resurfacing works. The council later concluded that, on roads with speed limits of 30mph or lower, removing the line delivered safety benefits. Since then, around 20 roads in the county have been left without central markings.

More recent trials began in 2014, when Transport for London (TfL) removed centre lines from short sections of three roads — one in central London and two in Croydon. According to TfL, the results showed a statistically significant reduction in vehicle speeds, with one road seeing average speeds fall by as much as 8mph.

Elsewhere, Norfolk County Council has tested the approach in rural villages and has since expanded trials into more urban environments.

Why Do Drivers Slow Down?

Transport officials say the absence of a painted dividing line subtly alters driver psychology.

Tracy Jessop, assistant director of transport at Norfolk County Council, said that when drivers no longer feel ownership of a clearly defined lane, they tend to act more carefully.

“Drivers become more attentive and more aware of others around them,” she explained. “In many cases we’ve seen lower speeds and positive impacts on road safety.”

She added that the trials have also been extended to roads intersecting cycle routes, where reduced speeds may improve safety for vulnerable road users.

A TfL report into the London trials suggested that centre lines can give drivers a false sense of confidence. Removing them, the report argued, introduces a degree of uncertainty — and that uncertainty appears to encourage slower, more cautious driving.

Alan Bristow, TfL’s director of road space management, said the trials had produced encouraging early results but stressed they were still under review. He added there were no plans for widespread removal of road markings across the capital.

Strong Opposition from Motoring Groups

Not everyone is convinced. Edmund King, president of the AA, said public reaction to the idea had been overwhelmingly negative.

After polling followers on social media, he said many described the concept as “absurd”, “barmy” or “crazy”.

Mr King argued that centre lines remain essential on faster roads and warned that modern vehicles increasingly rely on visible markings. “Cars fitted with lane-departure warning systems need white lines to function properly,” he said.

While he accepted that line removal might work on quiet, low-traffic streets, he cautioned that inconsistent use across different regions could confuse drivers.

Lessons from ‘Shared Space’

The concept is linked to the idea of shared space, pioneered by Dutch traffic engineer Hans Monderman. His designs removed traditional road features such as traffic lights, kerbs and markings, encouraging drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to negotiate space informally.

Mr King noted that this approach can succeed in small towns and villages with limited traffic, but warned it is not universally applicable. “It really depends on the road,” he said.

Safety Concerns Remain

Other experts stress that centre lines are still a vital safety tool. Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, warned against abandoning them too readily.

“Most fatal collisions in the UK occur on rural single-carriageway roads,” he said. “White lining remains an important option for routes with poor safety records.”

He also highlighted broader challenges, including the needs of older drivers and the growing reliance of connected and automated vehicles on clear road markings.

“The case for white lines is still very strong,” he said. “Authorities need to strike the right balance.”