Natural England - Quiet Lanes

Quiet Lanes

Quiet Lanes are minor rural roads that are appropriate for use by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and motorised users.

Survey findings

These roads should have low levels of traffic travelling at low speeds.

  • 16 per cent of households do not own a car and 20 per cent of adults in rural areas do not have a full driving licence. These people who do not have access to a car can suffer real hardship from their lack of mobility due to the scarcity and dispersed nature of rural services and facilities

  • 65 per cent of users feel threatened by traffic 'all or some of the time'

  • 91 per cent think that the speed limit should be reduced

  • 3.1 million people cycle every week

  • 5 million people in the UK occasionally or frequently walk in the countryside for pleasure.

Sources:
CPRE Rural Traffic Fear Survey1999
Transport Statistics, Great Britain
Rural Routes & Network - ICE & Countryside Agency 2002

Objectives of the Quiet Lanes project

The aim of Quiet Lanes is to make some minor rural roads more attractive for those who wish to walk, cycle and horse ride along them, for business or pleasure. The original objectives identified for the Quiet Lanes work were:

  • to provide networks of routes that cater for drivers, walkers, cyclists and horse riders

  • to link rights of way networks, open spaces, places of interest environmental protection / enhancement of country lanes

  • to show potential for partnership working involving the public

  • develop technical solutions to encourage motorised traffic to slow down and which are in keeping with the local area

  • development of Quiet Lane networks that are backed by a strategic approach to traffic demand management over a wider, well-defined area

Technical Guidance

  • 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.

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  • Practical issues

    Who can develop a Quiet Lanes project? Local Traffic authorities are responsible for the local road network and therefore the legal responsibility for Quiet Lanes rests with them.

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