Quiet lanes return to countryside

Quiet country lanes are about to make a comeback in parts of County Durham.

Council chiefs want to introduce a new type of thoroughfare with status between a road and a footpath.

The lanes, which are initially planned for an area near Stanley in Derwentside, would give priority to horses, cyclists and pedestrians.

Cars would be restricted to 20mph or diverted altogether in an effort to encourage more people to travel into the countryside and take exercise.

Work was scheduled to start in 2002 on creating a network of so-called "quiet lanes", but it was held up by a delay in legislation.

But now talks between Durham County and Derwentside District councils have earmarked Harperley Lane, Bushblades Lane, Kyo Lane and Pontop Pike Lane, all near Stanley, as possible quiet lanes.

Over the next few days, more than 8,000 letters, leaflets and questionnaires will be distributed to households and businesses in the area inviting people's views.

Depending on the outcome of the consultation exercise, work on the quiet lanes could begin this summer.