Skip to main content
HAUC
HAUC

Guidance Bulletin 39

Graffiti! Marking Out On The Highway

The marking of services is often an essential part of ensuring the safe identification and excavation of underground apparatus in the highway, but we must be careful that while marking sites we do not become “pavement artists”. We should use the minimum amount of identifier spray and endeavour to remove all traces after the works have been completed.

These markings are used for several valid reasons:

  1. The marking of cable installation routes.
  2. The marking of other existing utility apparatus to be avoided during excavation works.
  3. The marking of the scope of any works requiring remedial action.
  4. The identification of interim reinstatements.
  5. The identification of ownership works where multiple works are being undertaken.

Under Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980 it is an offence for:

“A person who, without either the consent of the highway authority for the highway in question or an authorisation given by or under an enactment or a reasonable excuse, paints or otherwise inscribes or affixes any picture, letter, sign or other mark upon the surface of a highway.”

Under this section Utilities and their contract partners are permitted to mark the highway as they have a “reasonable excuse” however they must ensure that these markings are temporary and not white in colour as this has in the past been confused with statutory road markings and could potentially lead to misinterpretation by drivers.

DO’S & DON’TS

  • DO Only use approved TEMPORARY marker paint.
  • DO Wash off any marker paint on completion of the works or when no longer required.
  • DO Markup services and underground apparatus in accordance with our guidelines and procedures.
  • DO Remove any conflicting marks to avoid confusion and potential risk.
  • DON’T Overdo spray markings, keep them simple.
  • DON’T Use white paint under any circumstances.
  • DON’T Leave a site as complete until the markup has been washed off.

HAUC(UK) thanks Morrison Water Services in their help in the creation of this guidance.

Morrison Water Services logo

IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT, CONTACT YOUR SUPERVISOR FOR FURTHER ADVICE

DO HIGHWAYS THE RIGHTWAYS