Sussex Greenways Quiet Lanes

Quiet Lanes are nationally recognised designations of single-track road (i.e. with no line markings), typically with less than 1,000 vehicles using it per day, where visitors and locals can enjoy the natural surroundings and use them for activities such as cycling, horse-riding, jogging and walking.

Cars aren’t restricted on these rural routes, however the idea is to encourage considerate use of the road, so the route can be shared and enjoyed by all.

An official Quiet Lane will have advisory signs at either end to show motorised users clearly that the road is a shared space. These green signs also clearly show the hierarchy of priority on the road, with pedestrians at the front and cars last.

Quiet Lanes were first introduced in the Quiet Lanes and Home Zones (England) Regulations 2006 No.2982.

One of the most successful projects nationally has been a 2013-2014 pilot project in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB which enabled 13 Quiet Lanes in 7 parishes.

In 2020 Suffolk County Council Highways expanded this scheme and received expressions of interest from 89 parishes for 209 Quiet Lanes. Thanks to a collaborative partnership between self-help groups in local parishes and the County Council, the cost of each Quiet Lane has been reduced to around £1000 per parish.

East Sussex County Council does not currently support Quiet Lanes. However, local communities may apply for match funding under the Community Match scheme.