Quiet Lanes in Suffolk launched ahead of lockdown easing
People are being encouraged to explore Suffolk's countryside as restrictions ease
Last updated 17th Mar 2021
Quiet Lanes have been launched in Suffolk ahead of the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Suffolk County Council is encouraging residents to visit the countryside once we can meet with friends and family outdoors at the end of the month.
It's as Quiet Lanes at Snape and Glemsford achieved planning consent this week, with another 50 proposed lanes going through planning next month.
The nationally recognised initiative includes designated narrow, rural roads to be shared with walkers, cyclists, horse riders and other road users.
Each one has a Quiet Lanes sign visible to encourage motorists to take their time and keep others safe.
Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs, said:
"This is a fantastic sustainable initiative aimed at opening up more of our countryside for leisure and recreation activities and active travel. Quiet Lanes are a precious resource on many of our doorsteps.
"Now with this recognition, we will encourage residents to make more use of the countryside around them rather than always getting in the car, and reap the associated health and environmental benefits."
Tim Beach, Chair of Snape Parish Council, added:
"Parish Councils have been working hard together to identify and propose the network of over 300 miles of Quiet Lanes in Suffolk, which if all approved, will be the first of its size in the country.
"We hope this launch will encourage more Parish Councils to get involved in the initiative in Suffolk and more counties to look at implementing the initiative nationally."
Since the initiative began in Suffolk, volunteers have worked with 192 parishes and agreed 323 routes throughout the countryside.
Parish Councils are now working together to link up through the lane network in context with public consultation and local neighbourhood plans.