Update 9thSeptember 2022: Knox Lane and Davey's Lane, Bardwell have been designated as Quiet Lanes.  We are now awaiting the signs.

 

What is Quiet Lanes Suffolk?

Quiet Lanes Suffolk is a county-wide project supported by Suffolk County Council’s Suffolk 2020 Fund, the East Suffolk Community Partnerships and the East Suffolk Greenprint Forum. Our aim is to benefit everyone who lives in, works in and visits our county, by creating Quiet Lanes to encourage the use of more active forms of travel such as walking, cycling and horse-riding. Not only will this improve people’s wellbeing it will support the drive towards making Suffolk carbon neutral by 2030 in response to the climate emergency.

 

What is a Quiet Lane?

A Quiet Lane is a nationally recognised designation of single-track road (i.e. no line markings), typically with less than 1,000 vehicles using it per day. They are routes where visitors and locals can enjoy the natural surroundings and use them for activities such as cycling, horse-riding, jogging and walking. However, the idea is not to restrict motor vehicles on these rural routes, but to encourage considerate use of the road, so they can be shared and enjoyed by all.

Who can use Quiet Lanes?

Quiet Lanes are for everyone!

 

Is a Quiet Lane a traffic calming measure?

While a Quiet Lane encourages drivers to exercise caution when travelling along it to respect other users, it isn’t a traffic calming measure.

 

Will motorists take any notice of the signs?

An important part of the project is our publicity campaign to raise awareness of Quiet Lanes and the way they should be used.

The Quiet Lane is a road where there are no speed restrictions. Is it safe for walkers / cyclists / horseriders to use?

All roads outside the built-up area of a village are derestricted. That doesn’t mean drivers can or should drive at 60 mph though. The Highway Code instructs drivers that Quiet Lanes are 'places where people could be using the whole of the road for a range of activities ... 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’.

 

My home is on a Quiet Lane, how will it affect vehicular access?

Quiet Lane designation does not impose traffic calming or access restrictions for any residents or businesses along the route.

 

My business is on a Quiet Lane how will it affect me?

Rural businesses are often found along narrow country lanes, and Quiet Lane designation does not impose traffic calming or access restrictions so there should be no negative impacts to your business. Indeed, for many businesses in the leisure and tourist industry, being situated on a Quiet Lanes is seen as a marketing opportunity.

 
The information above has been extracted from the FAQ's section of the Quiet Lanes Suffolk website.   There are other FAQ's on that page which have not been copied here. Visit Quiet Lanes Suffolk FAQ's page to read more.