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Grafham to Brampton Quiet Lane Pilot Project

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Sustrans are working in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council to co-design improvements to Brampton Road, between the villages of Grafham and Brampton in Cambridgeshire. The road forms part of National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 12.

Rural roads have changed little in recent decades. They are often characterised by fast moving motor traffic. This creates an unsafe and unwelcoming environment for other road users.

This pilot project aims to create a rural Quietway. It will offer a better environment for walking, wheeling, cycling, and equestrians. If successful, the same design principles used in this project will be replicated to create other Quietway's across the UK.

The project will improve Brampton Road for non-motorised users. This will make the route safer and more appealing for people to:

  • enjoy as part of their regular journeys to work or school
  • take exercise and improve their physical and mental health
  • access local leisure destinations such as Brampton Woods and Grafham Water.

This project presents an exciting opportunity. It aims to reimagine rural roads to make them more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Sustrans, funded through Active Travel England, have led a six-month co-design process with the local community.

Phase one

The discover phase ran from October 2024 to January 2025. A series of events were held to develop an understanding of local issues and opportunities. Engagement included:

  • online councillor briefing sessions
  • community events in Grafham and Brampton village halls
  • pop-up events around the local area.

Phase two

The co-design stage, ran from January to March 2025. It focused on developing design ideas and trial solutions for the route. Local engagement included:

  • further online councillor briefing sessions
  • a stakeholder workshop with local organisations
  • two community co-design workshops in Grafham and Brampton village halls
  • an online survey

The top outcome from the co-design process was that residents would welcome and support a speed limit reduction. This requires a legal framework and statutory Quiet Lane process. If the Quiet Lane is approved, we will be able to install new Quiet Lane signage and designate an advisory speed limit order along the road of 20mph. It will also allow for the introduction of other trial interventions along the route.

Alongside the legal process, Sustrans have designed a series of features for the Quiet Lane. These will be trialled and monitored for twelve months. They offer solutions to keep the rural road open and accessible but also provide an opportunity to be more than just a thoroughfare. The proposed interventions reflect the feedback received. They respond to the local conditions and location of the road, retaining its rural character.

Proposed trial interventions, which can be introduced, removed or altered during the trial period include:

  • Gateway features in each village at the entrances to the road
  • New signage and reminder posts along the route
  • Build outs at critical points (retaining necessary widths for agricultural vehicles)
  • Traffic calming at the railway bridge to slow speeds around the bend
  • Formal passing places
  • Visual narrowing with art or sculptures on posts in the verge
  • Artwork on the carriageway, designed by children from Brampton Primary School
  • Places to rest at footpath entrances, with benches, cycle parking and information boards
  • New tree planting towards Brampton
  • Artwork at the railway bridge with a nod to history

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