English lane markings

Saw a blurb in the Daily Mail this morning about locals in a restaurant in Epsom, Surrey being surprised by a dinner party of Keith Richards and Johnny Depp.

A quick google of the restaurant name took me to front of the establishment on Google Earth, at which point I started "riding" out of town. I followed London Road through Wimbledon and then A3 across London Bridge into the heart of the city. Fascinating virtual ride!

However, I am puzzled by the squiggly mystical lane markings in the attached photo. How on earth do you decipher that?

The approach to, and exit from, a pedestrian crossing is marked with zigzag lines. It also means that you must not park on them or overtake the leading vehicle when approaching the crossing. Parking here would block the view for pedestrians and the approaching traffic

I get the zig-zags near crossings but I've never really understood those diagonal dashes inside the broken border lines. I ride on them all the time but don't know if it's legal.

I avoid London like the plague anyhow even though it's only an hour away, I use the train.

I gather that there are lots of local bylaws in London so you need to be wary.

"I get the zig-zags near crossings but I've never really understood those diagonal dashes inside the broken border lines."

Thanks for the explanation, Bern.

I also don't get the diagonal dashes and the fact that the middle section narrows to a point, yet it doesn't appear to point to anything.

What does the point signify? (i.e., what's the point?)

Loosebearing, may I suggest you buy yourself a copy of the Highway Code?  (These road markings are nothing to do with London bye-laws: they're standard national markings.)

The central section with diagonal dashes inside the broken lines is a separation zone which you should avoid riding/driving in, and may only do so if your exit from it is clear.

If the separation zone has continuous lines (also with diagonal dashes) it is illegal to drive/ride in it.

The 'point' at the end has no significance, Delray: it is just the beginning (or end, if you're going the other way) of the painted separation zone.

Never let a spastic kid hopped up on mt dew create your road markings….. Looks like they dropped the extra lines all over and left them…

Excellent explanation, Seadog, thank you.