Printer friendly page

New road marking system trialled in Cheshire

A new road marking paint system that overcomes the tendency for white lines to disappear on wet nights has been successfully trialled on a stretch of road in Cheshire.  

According to Leighs Paints, in a recent independent study 33% of 'A' roads tested were below the recognised standard. Its new Nitesite system is designed to address this.

NiteSite reflects the power of a vehicle's headlights back towards the eyes of the driver to enable them to safely maintain their position on the road. The 'splatter' design of NiteSite sheds standing water, whereas conventional lines allow water to pond on them.

NiteSite has been used in some of Europe's toughest conditions for 14 years, including Alpine roads and the high speed German Auto Bahns.  

In the UK, Leighs Paints has conducted a two-year trial on a stretch of the A556 dual carriageway in Cheshire - a primary route carrying over 23,000 vehicles each day.  

Graham Harper , a senior engineer from Cheshire County Council, says: "In the 19 months before NiteSite was applied there were four recorded wet night personal injury accidents on this stretch of road, resulting in injuries to seven people.  

"Since the application of NiteSite there has been only one recorded wet night personal injury accident, with one injury."