Have the double solid white lines on our country roads been breeding or something?

We took advantage of the fabulous weather this afternoon and went for a bimble down to Cheddar Gorge - It was one of my favourite routes last year but today was our first trip there this year and we noticed a few changes along our route, namely the addition of double solid white lines just about everywhere, miles of them.....

Why have they been added? This world had gone crazy! :-(