Policy Briefing 11: Rural Roads

Policy Briefing 11: Rural Roads PDF (237Kb)

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Policy Briefing 11
Rural Roads

Living in rural areas has a great deal to offer. People value the quietness and sense of space, the beauty of natural surroundings and the traditions and sense of community.

But rural roads present dangers to non motorised users. Speed management measures that work well in urban areas often don't work in a rural setting. Fewer vehicles spread over a wide area make traditional enforcement by traffic police difficult. On many roads, the majority of vehicles may be driven within the legal limit - it is just that limits have been historically set too high for the type of road.

Rural communities can be severely affected by speed. Fast moving traffic makes roads difficult and dangerous to cross. Many rural roads do not have footways - and this discourages people from going out on foot. Children can't play outdoors or walk to school. The noise of high speed traffic destroys the tranquility of rural life. In 2001, 53% of deaths and 35% of serious injuries occurred on non-motorway, non built-up roads. Taking traffic mileage and volume into account, rural roads have disproportionate casualties.

Our policy

Rural roads and rural communities are severely affected by speeding traffic. We want to see the speed limit on country lanes reduced to 40mph and to 30mph through villages. We want to see councils following the example set by Suffolk County Council which made a decision to introduce 30mph speed limits in all roads through villages in the mid-1990s.

We believe that there should be 20mph limits for residential areas and around schools.

We want to see Home Zones and Quiet Lanes introduced on a massive scale in rural areas. We want to see a big increase in alternative modes of transport for rural people - comfortable, modern and frequent bus services, safe cycle routes and the promotion of car sharing clubs throughout the rural areas of the UK.

Government policy

The 2000 Rural White Paper proposals included an increased range of
alternative options for rural people to travel, including increased subsidies for rural bus schemes. However, the Government has announced a £7bn expansion of the motorway and main road network, which will increase the amount of traffic on rural roads - particularly those linking to the trunk road network.

Under the Transport Act 2000, local authorities can designate roads as "Quiet Lanes" and "Home Zones" with speeds as low as 10mph. Quiet Lanes are networks of minor roads which are appropriate for walkers, cyclists and horse riders as well as cars.

The Countryside Agency is working with local councils on three quiet lane schemes in Kent, Norfolk and Devon.

Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, has designated over 45 miles of roads on the island as quiet lanes. On an island measuring just nine miles by five, this is having a significant impact.

What you can do

Talk to your local council and ask what speed management strategies they are developing for rural roads. Ensure that their Community Strategy includes a strategy on speed reduction. Community Strategies link up local transport plans, crime and disorder strategies and health improvement plans.

Talk to your local cycling organisation and horse riding organisations about jointly campaigning on this issue.

Contact your local media and underline the importance of this issue. Stress that traffic on rural roads is scheduled to grow by 50% by 2031 and that action to encourage alternative modes of transport is urgently needed now.

Walking to school is greater among 5-10 year old children in metropolitan areas (66%), whereas in rural areas, 42% are taken to school by car. Talk to your local schools about jointly campaigning on this issue.

Become a member of Living Streets and contact your Living Streets branch or local Contact. If there is no branch or local Contact,why not become active yourself?

Fact Stats

1. In the mid-1990s, Suffolk County Council made a decision to introduce a 30mph limit on all roads through villages. Latest figures show a 19% fall in fatal casualties and 66% approval rating from villagers (T2000 website)

2. There were 1,621 fatalities on rural roads in 1999, compared to 1,341 on roads in built up areas. (www.cfit.gov.uk/reports/rural)

For further information

Contact Living Streets' information and advice hotline (Mondays 2-4pm) (020 7820 1010)
Slower Speeds Initiative: info@slowerspeeds.org.uk
Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE): info@cpre.org.uk