If you’ve ever driven through a busy town centre or parked in a modern retail car park, you might have noticed that not all line markings are white or yellow. You’ll see reds, blues, greens—even purples in some places. That might leave you wondering, “Why are some road or car park markings different colours?”
It’s a good question—and one that’s becoming more common as public spaces evolve. As one of the country’s leading line marking companies, C&R Ltd is here to explain what these colours mean and why they matter.
The Traditional Colours: White and Yellow
Let’s start with the basics:
- White lines are used to separate lanes, indicate parking bays, and guide vehicles through junctions or roundabouts.
- Yellow lines indicate parking restrictions—single for limited-time restrictions and double for no parking at any time.
These two colours are still the most widely used across UK roads, and their meanings are well-established.
Red Lines: Red Route Restrictions
You’ll mostly find red lines in cities like London. Red routes are designed to keep traffic flowing by preventing stopping, parking, or loading.
- Single red lines mean no stopping during certain times.
- Double red lines mean no stopping at any time.
These are often enforced more strictly than yellow lines and are managed by local traffic authorities.
Blue Bays and Markings: Disabled Parking
Blue markings are commonly used to indicate:
- Disabled parking bays, often with the wheelchair symbol.
- Priority access areas, where drivers with Blue Badges can park closer to entrances or facilities.
Blue is universally recognised as the colour for accessibility, making these bays easy to identify.
Green Markings: EV Charging Bays
With the rise in electric vehicles (EVs), green has become the go-to colour for EV charging bays. These bays are:
- Clearly marked to discourage petrol or diesel vehicles from parking in them.
- Often combined with EV symbols, charging icons, or branding.
At C&R Ltd, we help clients introduce clearly marked, regulation-compliant EV bays that support the UK’s move towards greener transport.
Other Colour-Coded Areas
You may also come across:
- Red or yellow hatching in no-parking zones or fire lanes.
- Purple or custom-coloured branding in commercial car parks or private spaces.
- Colour-coded warehouse zones, such as green for safe walkways and red for restricted areas.
These colours are often part of a broader wayfinding system, helping people navigate spaces safely and efficiently.
Why Colour Matters
Using different colours isn’t just for looks—it’s about improving safety and clarity.
✔ Instant recognition of space usage
✔ Improved accessibility and compliance
✔ Better traffic flow and reduced confusion
✔ Branding and layout consistency in commercial spaces
Whether it’s a busy high street or a private retail car park, colour-coded line marking helps make spaces safer, more efficient, and easier to navigate.
Need Colour-Coded Line Marking?
At C&R Ltd, we provide expert advice and application of bespoke, colour-coded line markings for roads, car parks, warehouses, and public spaces. From EV bays to pedestrian zones, we ensure markings are clear, compliant, and built to last.
Get in Touch with C&R Ltd Today
Ready to upgrade your site with clear and effective colour-coded markings? Contact C&R Ltd today for a free consultation and discover how our professional services can help.