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Grafham to Brampton Quiet Lane Pilot Project

Cambridgeshire County Council propose to designate Brampton Road/Grafham Road (C167) in the parishes of Grafham, Brampton and Buckden as a Quiet Lane under powers contained in the Transport Act 2000 and the Quiet Lanes & Home Zones (England) Regulations 2006.

The effect of the designation will be to promote active travel, improve safety, reduce health inequalities, and to provide a route where there is no primacy for motor vehicles.

Two design showcase drop-in events are being held to present the final preferred design options. The dates for these events are:

  • Thursday 5 June, 4-7pm, Grafham Village Hall, Van Diemens Way, Grafham, Huntingdon, PE28 0GB
  • Monday 9 June, 4-6.45pm, Brampton Memorial Centre, Thrapston Road, Brampton, Huntingdon, PE28 4TB

If you would like to comment on the proposals, please do so by writing to Active Travel, PO Box ALC2634, New Shire Hall, Emery Crescent, Enterprise Campus, Weald, Huntingdon PE28 4YE or activetravel@cambridgeshire.gov.uk quoting the reference PR1126, to be received no later than 5 June 2025.

Brampton to Huntingdon Station: we are also taking the opportunity to present some plans for improving the walking and cycling route and would appreciate any feedback at this early stage.

Sustrans is the ‘custodian’ of the National Cycle Network. It has been funded by the Department of Transport to deliver improvements to rural roads for active travel. Brampton Road has been selected due to the low numbers of people walking, wheeling and cycling and vehicle speeds recorded that are inappropriate for the conditions of the road. Since October 2024, there have numerous online briefing meetings, community sessions and pop up events. These have informed the solutions brought to the co-design workshop in March 2025.

All feedback and ideas produced from the co-design workshops have been analysed and processed. They will be published soon. Engineers and designers have been working hard to produce a scheme that will improve Brampton Road for all users. This design will be available to view at two upcoming community showcase events in June 2025.

The top outcome from the co-design process was a desire to reduce the speed limit. This requires a legal process that is currently being undertaken by the Policy and Regulation team. The aim is to designate the road as a Quiet Lane. If approved, this will provide the framework needed to reduce the speed limit to 20mph. It will also allow for the introduction of other trial interventions along the route.

The frequently asked questions below provide further context on what a Quiet Lane means and how the road can be enjoyed going forwards.

Frequently asked questions

A Quiet Lane is a designated minor rural road intended to prioritise walking, wheeling, cycling, horseriding and other non-motorised users over motor traffic.

They are designed to enable non-motorised users to enjoy using rural roads. They do this by improving safety and encouraging motor vehicles to slow down.

A safer environment for non-motorised users on a Quiet Lane is usually achieved by

  • lowering speed limits
  • adding signage 
  • providing traffic-calming measures.

These should be in keeping with the local character of the area. Examples of measures include soft landscaping, road surface treatments and high visibility signage.

Current legislation does not state that any user group has priority on a Quiet Lane and the use is therefore shared.

The Highway Code states that Quiet Lanes ‘are places where people could be using the whole of the road for a range of activities, including people walking, wheeling and cycling or children playing. You should drive slowly and carefully and be prepared to stop to allow people extra time to make space for you to pass them in safety’.

Quiet Lanes are intended to reduce vehicle speeds and improve road conditions for active travel and other non-motorised activities. This includes walking, wheeling (wheelchairs, motorised scooters etc), cycling and horse riding.

Brampton Road is a designated National Cycle Network (NCN) route, forming part of NCN12.

The County Council is working in collaboration with Sustrans. As custodians of the NCN, they are responsible for its maintenance and improvement. Funding for this project has been provided by Active Travel England, a national government executive agency.

The project and the development of design ideas has been community led. The project team has been engaging with the local community to co-design interventions which enable all road users to share the space safely and considerately.

Sustrans is the ‘custodian’ of the National Cycle Network and experienced in delivery (engagement, transport planning and engineering) of changes to streets and spaces.

Sustrans has been funded by the Department of Transport (via Active Travel England) to work in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council to carry out engagement and to look at how rural roads could be improved to make them safer for walking, cycling, wheeling (wheelchair etc) and horse riding.

The relatively low numbers of people walking and cycling on Brampton Road. The fact local residents are limited to primarily relying on private motor vehicles (as opposed, where appropriate, to using a cycle).

Vehicle speeds of in excess of 35mph can be entirely inappropriate for the conditions on the road and are detrimental to encouraging wider participation, particularly from more vulnerable groups.

Sustrans are committed improving the National Cycle Network, which ranks Brampton Road as currently ‘poor’ for cycling.  

A meaningful opportunity to test proposed changes to the highway that provide an opportunity for wider participation in walking, cycling, wheeling, and other non-motorised activities such as horse riding.

Any proposed changes are being developed in close collaboration with local residents and other stakeholders. 

Once the public meeting on 15 May has been held, there is a 21-day consultation period in which residents can make representations on the Quiet Lane. Subject to any representations, proposal of a designation shall then be published in a local newspaper, followed by a further 21-day consultation.

Residents of much of Brampton, Grafham, Perry, Buckden, and Ellington will have received an update letter w/c 18 November 2024. This was supported by communications that went out to councillors w/c 11 November 2024. 

Communication with local councillors, who will share information accordingly, will continue and posters will be placed in key local locations advertising specific design workshops in the new year as well as online promotion on this webpage and local media.

If you do not have access to the internet or have other accessibility concerns, please contact Sustrans on 0207-017-2350 and speak to Adrian Hooper or Ben Addy.

The co-design process has taken two phases:

Phase one ran from late 2024 to early 2025 and involved a series of events to develop an understanding of local issues and opportunities. Two online briefing sessions were delivered for local councillors in October 2024. Two community events were held in November 2024 with a focus on residents being able to share their views and experiences on Brampton Road. Pop-up events were also held in Huntingdon, Brampton and Grafham.

Phase two ran from January 2025 to March 2025 and involved further councillor briefings and a series of co-design workshops with the purpose of developing design ideas to improve Brampton Road. Two online briefing sessions were delivered for local councillors in January 2025. Two co-design workshops were held in February and March 2025. A survey was also advertised and distributed across a wider area to capture additional feedback.

Trial interventions along the Quiet Lane will be monitored for at least 12 months, after which time the trial will be evaluated. Trial interventions will be installed over a period of time, starting in summer 2025.

As you enter the Quiet Lane, 20mph signs will be clearly visible. It’s important to raise awareness of the Quiet Lane by spreading the word and ensuring others understand what is expected on the road. Cambridgeshire County Council and Sustrans will engage with local residents as much as possible.

In the first instance, whilst the trial is underway, please contact activetravel@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. If necessary, colleagues within the active travel team will forward on any correspondence to other departments to resolve the issue.

Tips for enjoying a Quiet Lane by walking

  • Be aware of other users. Whilst they should be travelling at lower speeds, make sure to keep on the lookout.
  • Quiet Lanes are a great place for dog-walking but take care of other users and always keep your dog on a lead unless they’re well trained. Please also leave the Quiet Lane as you found it, which includes picking up any dog poo and disposing of it appropriately.
  • Make sure to stand out by wearing bright clothing that’s easily visible, which is particularly important at night.

Tips for enjoying a Quiet Lane on a bike

  • Travel at a sensible speed and consider other users that may not be visible. There are plenty of blind corners and spots reducing visibility so take care.
  • If overtaking walkers, other cyclists, horse riders or motorists ensure to leave plenty of room.
  • If you’re approaching horses on the road, please go slowly and be patient to give riders enough time to find a place allowing adequate room for passing.
  • It’s always worth using a bell or saying ‘excuse me’ when approaching other non-motorised users from behind so they’re aware of your presence and don’t veer into your path.
  • Make sure to stand out by wearing bright clothing that’s easily visible and by using bike lights. There’s not much street lighting on the route so it’s especially important at night.
  • If you’re having a great time, don’t stop there. Have a look at our cycle maps for inspiration on where to cycle to next - Planning your journey | Cambridgeshire County Council.
  • Leave the Quiet Lane as you found it and please take any rubbish home with you.

Tips for enjoying a Quiet Lane in a vehicle

  • A Quiet Lane is not intended as a short-cut between villages, particularly as you are likely to encounter non-motorised users.
  • Expect other users to be travelling at low speeds and allow ample time for them to move into a safe space before attempting to pass by.
  • If you’re approaching horses on the road, go slowly and be patient to give riders enough time to find a place allowing adequate room for passing.
  • Consider other users when parking your car so as to not inconvenience local residents and other users. If you’re visiting Brampton Wood, please use their car park. Passing places are intended for passing other users with safety, not for parking.
  • Leave the Quiet Lane as you found it and please take any rubbish home with you.

Are you interested in having a Quiet Lane near you?

Please register your interest with us by emailing activetravel@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. It’s also worth contacting your local town or parish council to let them know too. You can find out who your town/parish council is by using this map - My Cambridgeshire.

Contact us

If you have any further questions, please do contact us at activetravel@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or Sustrans eastofengland@sustrans.org.uk