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Quiet Lanes

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Cambridgeshire County Council are exploring opportunities to designate minor, rural roads as Quiet Lanes. 

This page provides further information on what a Quiet Lane is. It outlines the process for getting one designated. It shares best practices for enjoying Quiet Lanes. It also shows how you can help support them, and more.

What is a Quiet Lane?

A Quiet Lane is a designated minor rural road, usually between two villages, intended to prioritise walking, wheeling, cycling, horse riding, and other non-motorised users over motor traffic.

Quiet Lanes 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.

What changes should be expected?

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.

The first proposed Quiet Lane in Cambridgeshire will be along Grafham Road/Brampton Road between the villages of Grafham and Brampton. You can read more about this scheme Grafham to Brampton Quiet Lane Pilot Project | Cambridgeshire County Council

If you have a suitable route in your area and would like to propose a new Quiet Lane please read the FAQs below and contact us at activetravel@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. It’s also worth contacting your local councillor too. You can find who your local county councillor is by using this map My Cambridgeshire.

Frequently asked questions

The frequently asked questions below provides further details on various aspects of a Quiet Lane.

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. You should be prepared to stop to allow people extra time to make space for you to pass them in safety’.

No. All vehicles, including cars, farm machinery, and delivery vans, can still use the road. The designation is about promoting safer and more respectful road use, not banning or preventing vehicles from using it.

No. CCC would work with landowners and farmers to ensure no measures are introduced that could result in impeded access. Farmers, residents and any businesses would retain full access to their land.

Quiet Lanes are not designed to prevent access but may discourage drivers who are seeking fast through-routes. The signs signal a slower, shared-use environment. The lower speed limit introduced (whether advisory or mandatory) may result in navigation systems rerouting drivers onto more efficient routes.

Similar to a 30mph zone, the Quiet Lane would have entry and exit points that are clearly marked by signage. The Department for Transport has nationally recognised green signage that would be installed. They may be used alongside other measures such as gateway features and road markings.

Please email us at activetravel@cambridgeshire.gov.uk with the location of the road. We will then contact the relevant county, district and town/parish councillors to determine political support. It is worth reaching out to these councillors yourself too.

  • It typically starts with local community engagement. This happens both directly and via local councillors to determine support. This includes launching a survey asking generic questions about active travel. It also asks some questions focused on the Quiet Lane. This provides the local community with an opportunity to provide input and shape the look and feel of the Quiet Lane.
  • Subject to local support, the designation process would then legally commence. An in-person public meeting would showcase plans for the Quiet Lane. A newspaper advertisement would notify residents of CCC’s intention to propose a Quiet Lane designation.
  • Following a 21-day consultation period, subject to no serious objections, CCC would  publish a notice of proposal. This notice would appear in a local newspaper to designate a Quiet Lane. Plans would be made available for inspection at public facilities local to the proposed route.
  • Following a 21-day consultation period, subject to no serious objections, CCC would publish a notice of proposal. This proposal would appear in a local newspaper to create a speed order. Plans would be made available for inspection at public facilities local to the proposed route.
  • Following a 21-day consultation period, subject to no serious objections, CCC would follow the Council’s decision-making process. This would put the designation and speed order into effect. This decision could either come through a senior officer that has been delegated to do so or the highways and transport committee. Objectors and emergency services would be directly notified. The public would be made aware via a newspaper advertisement. Plans would be made available for inspection at public facilities local to the proposed route.

It could be funded in a variety of ways depending on location and whether any funding initiatives are available. This would be explored on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, subject to funding. There are a number of alternative options that could be explored besides a Quiet Lane. These could include traffic calming measures without the accompanying speed order. Another option is a modal filter. The modal filter is defined as a traffic management intervention. It restricts certain vehicles from passing through a specific point on a road. Walking, cycling, and sometimes buses or permitted vehicles can still pass through.

Want to find out more about what we’ve currently delivering and have already delivered in Cambridgeshire? Click on the below links.

Want to explore other websites to understand more about Quiet Lanes? Explore by clicking on the below links:

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. Always keep your dog on a lead unless they’re well trained. Please also leave the Quiet Lane as you found it. This includes picking up any dog poo and disposing of it appropriately.
  • Make sure to stand out by wearing bright clothing that’s easily visible. This 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. 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. 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. 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 contact us at activetravel@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.