An experimental new method to lay road markings on Norfolk's roads is being trialled, amid concerns white lines are fading away just months after being put down.

Some of the safety markings Norfolk County Council has put down are rapidly wearing away, say Labour county councillors, who highlighted how a zebra crossing in Woodcock Road, Norwich, which was only painted in January has already faded.

Eastern Daily Press: Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County Council, pictured at the Woodcock Road zebra crossing in January.Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County Council, pictured at the Woodcock Road zebra crossing in January. (Image: Steve Morphew)

Eastern Daily Press: The Woodcock Road zebra crossing pictured in AprilThe Woodcock Road zebra crossing pictured in April (Image: Steve Morphew)

They raised the issue at a recent meeting of the Conservative-controlled cabinet at County Hall.

Eastern Daily Press: Labour county councillor Matt ReillyLabour county councillor Matt Reilly (Image: Labour Party)Matthew Reilly, Labour county councillor for Norwich's University ward, said: “Lines painted on roads wear much faster than they used to.

“I understand this is in part because the materials are often less hard wearing but less damaging to the environment.

“In turn, that means white lines need to be repainted more often to serve their purpose of showing road users and pedestrians how to use roads safely.”

Mr Reilly asked what steps were being taken to increase how often markings are repainted.

Council leaders revealed they were testing out a new method of putting down road markings.

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Eastern Daily Press: Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transportGraham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Norfolk County Council)Graham Plant, the council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "We currently use thermoplastic materials for most of our white lining programme and
the specification has not changed.

"Locations with heavy turning vehicular movements will naturally wear out quicker.

"We regularly review new material developments and are currently trialling a methylmethacrylate (MMA) line marking paint on high-wearing locations on the Norwich outer ring road following recent surfacing schemes.

"The material is hard-wearing and should last longer.

"These sites will be monitored to help inform whether this new material should be used at other higher-wearing locations."

The bill to clear the 'maintenance backlog' to bring Norfolk's roads up to standard has soared to £69m, as inflation pushed the cost up by 20pc in the space of just a year.

That figure is how much it would cost the council to get roads and bridges up to the standards they should be in.