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Signage & Road Marking Installation
Clear, compliant markings and signage meeting TSRGD and BS EN 1436 standards. Thermoplastic installation that lasts, Chapter 8 traffic management included, NHSS-accredited team.
NHSS-accredited marking and signage for councils, developers, and highway authorities managing safety-critical infrastructure
Faded road markings contributed to 1,624 UK road fatalities last year.
Twenty percent of A-roads and motorway sections now have markings below minimum standards. Residents are complaining. Councils are responding. And poor visibility at junctions is causing accidents that could’ve been prevented.
Signage and road marking installation and signs that stay visible when it matters
You need infrastructure that drivers can see in wet conditions, at night, in fog. Markings that don’t fade to nothing within three years, forcing another round of emergency works and traffic management costs.
We deliver this across the South West, South Wales, and the Thames Valley. From initial surveys and NRSWA permitting through to thermoplastic installation and compliance documentation.
What we can deliver for your site...
Why road markings fail early, and why that costs you more
The technical reasons markings disappear
There's a specification that solves this...
Markings that last through heavy traffic, wet weather, and years of UV. Thermoplastic as the default, not the upgrade
12-20 year service life:
Thermoplastic markings lasting 6-10 times longer than paint, even under heavy traffic. Fewer reinstallations, lower lifecycle costs, less disruption.
Retroreflection that stays compliant:
BS EN 1436 RL3/RL4 performance maintained throughout lifespan. Glass bead application delivering 200+ mcd at installation, staying above 100 mcd after 36 months.
Wet-night visibility included:
Modern RW-class performance keeping markings visible in rain, fog, spray. Drivers see junctions and lanes when conditions turn dangerous.
Traffic management done properly:
Chapter 8-compliant systems with correct advance warning zones, lead-in tapers, safety buffers. NRSWA permits sorted, Street Manager documentation handled.
Fixed-fee options available:
Transparent pricing covering surveys, permits, surface prep, installation, testing, documentation. You know costs upfront, not after discovering problems mid-job.
Full compliance documentation:
Performance testing at 12, 24, 36 months, reflectometry results, as-built records, NRSWA closure paperwork. Everything for your asset management systems and inspections.
Why highway authorities and councils choose Highways Plus
You’re managing tight budgets and safety obligations. You need a contractor who understands that road markings aren’t cosmetic—they’re safety-critical infrastructure that prevents accidents and saves lives.
What sets us apart
NHSS accreditation plus ISO compliance:
We’re approved to work on strategic road networks. ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 certified. The accreditations councils need for contract compliance.
Thermoplastic as standard specification:
We push thermoplastic over paint because it’s the right long-term solution. 12-20 year lifespan versus 2-5 means you’re not back out three years later spending again.
Traffic management integrated:
- Chapter 8 systems, NRSWA permits, Street Manager applications. You’re not coordinating separate contractors or managing interface risks.
We test and document properly:
- Retroreflectometry at installation and throughout lifespan, performance verification against BS EN 1436, as-built records in CAD/GIS. Full compliance audit trail.
DDA compliance built in:
High-contrast signage, tactile elements, accessible crossing markings. Equality Act requirements satisfied without bolting them on afterwards.
Fixed-fee options for planned works:
Know your costs before approving programmes. Transparent pricing, clear change control for genuine discoveries, not gaps in our scope.
A clear, structured process that keeps roads safe and operational
Road marking projects need thorough surface prep, compliant traffic management, methodical installation. Quality control at every stage.
What you get...
Most projects run through phased delivery—surveys and permits first, establishing full scope before road closures begin.
Typical timelines: 2-4 weeks for straightforward junction improvements, 4-8 weeks for major route remarking programmes, 1-2 weeks for emergency safety-critical works.
Site surveys and specification:
Topographical surveys, existing marking assessment, traffic volume analysis. You get detailed specs covering materials, performance standards, traffic management requirements before we quote.
Permits and approvals:
NRSWA applications via Street Manager, traffic regulation orders where needed, utility diversions coordinated. All statutory approvals secured before mobilisation.
Surface preparation and testing:
Legacy marking removal, pressure washing, moisture content testing. Surfaces meeting adhesion specifications, zero shortcuts that compromise lifespan.
Installation with quality control:
Thermoplastic heated to specification (200°C monitored continuously), glass beads applied immediately for retroreflection, thickness measured during application. Chapter 8 traffic management maintaining safety throughout.
Testing and documentation:
Retroreflectometry at installation (200+ mcd verified), performance testing schedule established (12/24/36 months), as-built records provided, NRSWA closure completed. Full compliance audit trail delivered.
Road marking installation CASE STUDY
Major junction remarking programme, Somerset
The Challenge:
- Local authority managing high-accident junction with faded paint markings barely visible in wet conditions. Three reported accidents in 18 months attributed partly to poor lane definition.
- Previous paint-based remarking lasting only 2.5 years before fading below minimum standards. Council facing resident complaints and pressure to improve safety.
- Annual remarking budget couldn't sustain repeated paint applications at £4,200 per intervention plus traffic management costs of £2,800 each time.
Our Solution:
- Specified thermoplastic system replacing paint-based approach. Initial cost £8,900 versus £4,200 for paint, but 12-15 year lifespan versus 2-3 years.
- Completed surface preparation to specification—removed all legacy markings, pressure washed to remove contaminants, verified moisture content below thresholds.
- Installed thermoplastic junction markings with enhanced glass bead application achieving 220 mcd retroreflection (vs 200 mcd minimum). Chapter 8 traffic management completed overnight to minimise disruption.
- Performance testing at 12 months confirmed retroreflection at 195 mcd, exceeding minimum standards with projected compliance throughout 12-15 year lifespan.
The Outcome:
- Zero reported accidents in 24 months following installation versus three in prior 18 months
- Lifecycle cost £8,900 over 15 years versus £25,200 for six paint applications (saving £16,300)
- Traffic management costs reduced from £16,800 over 15 years to one-off £2,800
- Resident complaints eliminated, positive councillor feedback on improved junction safety
Proven delivery of road marking and signage across diverse sectors
Whether you’re managing public highways, private developments, or commercial estates, you need markings and signs that stay visible and compliant throughout their design life.
Sectors that rely on us:
Local councils and highway authorities:
Planned maintenance programmes, emergency remarking, junction improvements. NHSS-accredited delivery meeting CS 125 inspection standards and budget constraints.
Private developers and housing estates:
Section 38 adoption-compliant markings, access junction signage, estate road markings. Fixed-fee installations supporting adoption sign-off.
Commercial and industrial estates:
Car park line marking, loading bay definition, directional signage. Durable systems handling heavy vehicle traffic without constant remarking.
Logistics and warehouse facilities:
HGV route markings, yard line painting, loading bay signs. High-traffic specifications lasting under intensive use.
Retail and leisure sites:
Customer car parks, pedestrian crossing markings, wayfinding signage. Aesthetic finishes meeting DDA requirements and maintaining brand presentation.
Public sector and education:
School zones, hospital campuses, council facilities. Traffic calming markings, accessible pedestrian routes, regulatory signage meeting public safety standards.
Your Road marking installation questions, answered...
How long does thermoplastic last compared to paint?
Thermoplastic markings last 12-20 years on high-traffic roads versus 2-5 years for paint systems. Even under heavy use, thermoplastic maintains retroreflection above minimum standards for 10+ years, eliminating frequent remarking cycles.
Why does thermoplastic cost more upfront?
Material costs £3.50-£5.50 per metre versus £1.00-£2.50 for paint. But lifecycle costs are lower—one thermoplastic application lasts as long as 4-8 paint applications. You save 40-60% over the marking’s lifespan when factoring in traffic management and permit costs for each remarking cycle.
What's the difference between RL3 and RL4 performance?
BS EN 1436 retroreflection classes measuring how much light reflects back to drivers. RL3 requires 100 mcd minimum, RL4 requires 200 mcd. Higher performance means better visibility in poor conditions. We specify based on traffic volumes and safety requirements.
How do you handle traffic management?
Chapter 8-compliant systems with advance warning zones (60-75m depending on road speed), lead-in tapers (13-175m), safety buffers, working space protection. NRSWA permits obtained via Street Manager, utility diversions coordinated, emergency access maintained throughout.
Can you work at night to minimise disruption?
Yes. Most major route remarking happens overnight (10pm-6am) to avoid peak traffic. Thermoplastic application works well in night conditions, though we monitor temperature and moisture. Some councils prefer night works to reduce daytime congestion.
What happens if markings fail early?
Our thermoplastic installations include performance guarantees based on traffic volumes and maintenance. Performance testing at 12, 24, 36 months verifies retroreflection standards. Premature failure from installation defects is remedied at our cost.
Do you remove old markings before installing new ones?
Yes, where required. Surface preparation includes removing legacy markings via grinding or burning-off, pressure washing, checking moisture content. Proper prep is critical—thermoplastic won’t bond properly to contaminated or wet surfaces.
How quickly can you mobilise for emergency works?
Emergency safety-critical remarking: 24-48 hours. Planned programmes: typically 7-14 days after permit approval. We maintain equipment and materials ready for rapid deployment when junctions or crossings become dangerous.
What documentation do you provide at handover?
As-built drawings in CAD/GIS showing all marking locations, retroreflectometry test results, material batch records, NRSWA closure documentation, performance testing schedule (12/24/36 months), photographic records. Everything for asset management systems and CS 125 inspections.
Need to understand what specification your markings require?
Book a Free, No-Obligation Road marking installation Assessment
We’ll assess your site, review current marking condition, recommend materials based on traffic volumes and safety requirements, provide fixed-fee quotation covering surveys through to documentation.
No obligation, no sales pressure—just expert advice from NHSS-accredited specialists who’ve installed thousands of metres of safety-critical road markings across council networks and private developments.
Call or fill out our form and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
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