Road safety measures

Speed bumps or humps are narrow vertical strips that stretch across the width of a road and force vehicles to slow down.

Like speed bumps, speed cushions are usually slightly wider than a car rather than the width of the entire road. These force cars to slow down, whilst wider vehicles such as busses and ambulances can drive over speed cushions without passengers feeling anything.

A speed table is a wide, raised section of road, with a ramp on both sides that stretches the width of a road. The ramps are painted with white arrows to make them more obvious to drivers.

Speed tables are often used as part of a pedestrian crossing, with the zebra or controlled crossing sitting on top of the table.

A 20mph zone is an area where the speed limit is reduced to 20mph and enforced with further traffic calming measures, such as speed cushions or build outs.

A 20mph limit is an area where the speed limit is reduced to 20mph, but traffic calming measures are not usually installed.

We use road signs and / or roundels painted on the road surface to indicate to drivers of the change of speed limit. These are required to indicate when the speed limit both reduces to 20mph, and increases to 30mph. Smaller repeater signs may also be installed throughout the area to act as a reminder.

Vehicle-activated signs are an electronic sign which only become visible when approaching vehicles are moving faster than a certain speed. Different signs may:

• show the speed limit
• show the driver’s speed
• remind drivers to slow down

We do not install, maintain, or enforce speed cameras or other safety camera equipment.

Transport for London (TfL) are responsible for all road safety camera equipment across London. Contact TFL for further information about speed cameras

Chicanes are a type of horizontal deflection that forces one direction of traffic to give way to oncoming vehicles.

A type of horizontal deflection, build outs narrow a lane or road, meaning motorists will need to drive more carefully which may result in slower vehicle speeds.

Build outs are sometimes used on junctions to prevent parking close to a junction and provide pedestrians with further space to cross.

A single yellow line means that parking is allowed but is restricted. Signs on the road show the times parking is restricted. Loading or unloading is not restricted on single yellow lines.

Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, unless signposted otherwise. They are often used at road junctions to prohibit parking close to the junction and improve both driver and pedestrian visibility.

Loading or unloading is not restricted on double yellow lines, unless otherwise indicated by signage or painted lines on the kerb.

Red lines are only installed in London on Transport for London’s Red Routes. Red route rules

Both white and yellow zigzags show areas that must be kept clear so that children and other road users can see clearly when crossing the road.

The yellow zig zag markings are often found near schools, accompanied by the wording “School Keep Clear,” whilst white zigzags are usually around pedestrian crossings.

To assist pedestrians in crossing a side road, we will reduce the kerb height creating an uncontrolled crossing point and install tactile paving slabs to aid the visually impaired.

A central island crossing, or pedestrian refuge, is a type of uncontrolled crossing that allows pedestrians to stop in the centre of the road, so they can split the crossing into two stages for each direction of traffic.

Larger islands with raised landscaped areas either side of the crossing, may also be considered depending on location.

The types of controlled crossings include Pelican, Puffin, Toucan and Pegasus crossings.

• Puffin and Pelican crossings use traffic lights to stop vehicles, allowing users to cross. Pelican crossings have not been installed in the UK since 2016.
• A Toucan crossing allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road together. They have the same signals as Puffin crossings but include a green cycle symbol alongside the green man.
• Pegasus crossings are for pedestrians and horse riders.

If approved, works must be programmed with TfL who are responsible for the introduction of the actual signal equipment and its maintenance. TfL are currently operating a policy not to introduce any more signals in London and for Councils to find other options.

Zebra crossings help pedestrians cross from one side of the road to the other. Vehicle users are required to stop when they see a pedestrian waiting at the edge of a zebra crossing to allow them to cross the road.

A Tiger crossing is a form of zebra crossing that allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road in parallel, whilst the cyclists remain on their bike..

Bollards create a physical barrier that stops vehicles entering a pedestrian area. We install a variety of different bollards, taking into account the design of the area.

Guard railings are installed where there is a danger of pedestrians (especially children) running on the carriageway, especially where footway widths are narrow, and at controlled crossing points.

Double height kerbs deter vehicles from mounting the pavement. Parking on the pavement is prohibited throughout London unless signs state clearly that you can.

Knee rails create a barrier, stopping vehicles from entering green spaces or driving on footpaths and grass verges.

White "Keep Clear" markings are used to indicate where a road should be kept clear of waiting or parked vehicles to allow access to side roads or entrances.

The 'Slow' marking  has the intention of encouraging road users to slow down.

Yellow box markings can be used where traffic blocks a junction. They indicate that a road must be kept clear of waiting or queuing vehicles to allow access to side roads. Motorists will be fined should they be found to have entered and waited on them.

Roundabouts are installed where there are lots of traffic at junctions. We install them where two or more roads intersect. They are designed to keep traffic moving and ease congestion.

A mini roundabout is a smaller roundabout that is a white, central circular road marking.

A one way street allows vehicles to only move in one direction on the road, improving traffic flow.

On side roads, we will usually aim to pair one way streets, with one being one way in one direction, and a second one way in the opposite direction.

A width restriction stops vehicles over a certain width driving on the road.

They have a dual role of limiting the size of vehicle that can use a road and forcing smaller vehicles to slow down to navigate safely through the restriction.