Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 5 Road Markings. 2003 (Sixth Impression 2009).pdf/147

 Where it is not possible to provide temporary road markings, drivers should be warned of their absence by means of advance warning signs. At junctions where all, or any part, of the STOP or Give Way marking has been removed and temporary markings cannot be provided, a prescribed variant of diagram 7012 "NO STOP MARKINGS" or "NO GIVE WAY MARKINGS" should be placed on the minor road near the junction, preferably about 5 - 10 m from the edge of the main carriageway. Where road markings associated with a level crossing are absent, the variant "NO ROAD MARKINGS AT LEVEL CROSSING" should be used. The alternative legends "NO ROAD MARKINGS" and "NO ROAD MARKINGS AT JUNCTION" should be used where appropriate. Where lane lines or centre of carriageway lines on inter-urban roads have been removed (especially where there is no street lighting), a sign bearing the legend "NO ROAD MARKINGS FOR X MILES" or "X YARDS" or, if appropriate, "NO ROAD STUDS FOR X MILES" or "X YARDS" (diagram 7012) should be used with the appropriate distance inserted.

All obsolete markings and road stud housings, particularly those which may give a misleading indication, should be removed as soon as possible. This is particularly important where new central refuges are installed; the old centre line and any road studs should always be realigned (see table 14-1 for recommended tapers) before the road works signing and guarding is removed.

It is essential that road markings should not prevent a carriageway from draining properly. Even a thin film of standing water can be dangerous in the winter, when it may freeze. Markings may project up to 6 mm above the adjacent road surface (regulation 32), although the ribs of raised rib markings and the centre portion of diagrams 1003.4 and 1049.1 may be higher. In difficult areas, where for instance the cross fall is nearly level, or the road is at the lowest point of a sag curve, it may be preferable to use paint in place of thermoplastic for continuous edge lines, as its negligible thickness will

Generally a drainage channel of 225 mm should be maintained between markings and the kerbed edge of a road. This will allow water to flow freely and help to ensure that the markings do not become unnecessarily dirty. 145