Maintenance of road markings and reflective road studs

Maintaining road markings and reflective road studs.


Road markings and reflective road studs, for example cats eyes, are an important aid to traffic movement. They help to direct road users especially in darkness and poor visibility. Road markings can also show the extent of parking restrictions. Suffolk County Council is responsible for the maintenance of road markings and road studs in public roads in Suffolk, with the following exceptions:

Trunk roads are managed by W S Atkins on behalf of the Highways Agency. Any questions regarding these roads should be directed to them rather than Suffolk County Council.

Problems with road markings and reflective road studs in the following towns should be directed to:

Information on the erection of new signs can be found in Traffic Signs.


Repair and replacement of road markings

Priority will be given to lining, which gives effect to regulations such as waiting restrictions or double white line systems, and lining which support safety measures on higher category roads.


Repair and replacement of reflective road studs

Priority will be given to studs which support regulations, double white line systems, and systems of road studs on principal roads.


Maintenance standard

Road markings on principal roads

All road markings will be maintained. 


Road markings on non principal roads

The following road markings will be maintained:

  • double line systems;
  • markings associated with speed management or accident prevention schemes;
  • markings associated with traffic orders;
  • slow markings;
  • stop and give way markings; and
  • warning markings.

Other markings will be renewed, if still required, following covering by surfacing or surface dressing work.


Reflective road studs on A roads

  • all road studs to be maintained; and
  • an annual inspection will be carried out each autumn.



Reflective road studs on other roads

  • any loose road studs will be made safe; and
  • road studs associated with double line systems and other mandatory markings, such as hatching edged by solid lines, will be maintained.

Other road studs will only be maintained following carriageway surface treatment.

We are responsible for identifying lines and studs that require maintenance and also use information received from members of the public and parish councils about this area of highway maintenance.

For more information contact the Customer Service Centre.