Pannal Ash Road central hatching

22nd May 2020

Pannal Ash Road should be a safe place for people to walk and ride bikes. It has a 20mph limit, and there are schools there.

Unfortunately I find that it's a prime location for dangerous close passes especially when I'm riding uphill. Why is that? I believe the central hatching is partly to blame. Drivers are reluctant to cross into it, or cross into it a lot, so they give people on bikes less space when overtaking.

Are drivers right to be reluctant to drive over the markings? Most of us probably have only a vague idea of the meaning of these markings. Having just looked up rule 130 of the Highway Code, I now know that the purpose of the markings is to separate traffic lanes (also a bit vague), and you should not enter the area unless it it necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so (vague again).

You can see why drivers are vaguely reluctant to drive on the markings. Of course it is no excuse for dangerous close passes, but it's part of the explanation.

The markings are partly to blame for dangerous overtakes on Pannal Ash Road. They don't serve a purpose, and they should be removed or not replaced next time the road is resurfaced.

20mph limit

The 20mph limit on Pannal Ash Road is ignored more often than it is respected, and needs to be enforced - so people know there is a good chance of being caught breaking the law, and stop doing it.