Natural England - Principal aims

Principal aims

The aim of Quiet Lanes is to maintain the character of minor rural roads by seeking to contain rising traffic growth that is widespread in rural areas.

What are 'Quiet Lanes?'

Quiet Lanes are minor rural roads which are appropriate for shared use by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and motorised users. These roads should already have low levels of traffic travelling at low speeds. The aim of Quiet Lanes is to maintain the character of minor rural roads by seeking to contain rising traffic growth that is widespread in rural areas. It is not intended as a device to traffic calm busy roads or to address issues of rat running and HGVs.

The Quiet Lanes concept involves three key elements - local community involvement which seeks to encourage a change in user behaviour, an area wide direction signing strategy to re-route traffic, and Quiet Lane network signing.

It is aimed at identifying networks of minor rural roads and is not solely about addressing issues on individual roads. Where possible public rights of way should be included within these networks.

The Transport Act 2000 now gives legal status to the term Quiet Lane and local traffic authorities can now designate roads for which they are responsible as Quiet Lanes.

Why develop a Quiet Lanes Project?

A Quiet Lanes project can contribute to or be part of:

  • a strategy to help deliver and achieve local targets for walking, cycling and horse riding
  • a strategy for improving travel choices for local people
  • a system aimed at retaining local charateristics and conservation on rural lanes ie roadside verges
  • a sustainable rural transport strategy
  • a system for joining routes and transport links - PROW and Public transport
  • an effective strategy for managing some parts of the minor road network