About our quiet lanes

About the quiet lanes

Quiet lanes are designated minor roads where motor traffic is restricted using signs, speed limits and physical closures to make it safer for people to walk, wheel cycle and horse ride. They are only implemented where there is local support and a suitable alternative route for motor traffic. Access along a quiet lane is maintained for residents, farmers, businesses and emergency services.          

Several quiet lanes have been introduced across the county already in response to local concerns about motorised traffic flows, speeds and road safety. We are now formalising how we identify, trial and designate a quiet lane, to make sure the process is consistent across the county. This will also speed up the delivery of appropriate schemes.

The programme is voluntary and locally led. A quiet lane will only be brought forward where there is strong local support and a clear evidence‑based case.

Following approval by our cabinet in May 2026, we will launch a pilot programme of up to 10 new sites across the county later this year. Identifying sites is at an early stage.

Benefits of quiet lanes

Safer minor roads

Quiet lanes remove traffic using minor roads as shortcuts, including large vehicles sent down unsuitable routes by satnavs. With fewer vehicles using these roads, the risk of collisions is much lower and any incidents that do happen are less severe. This helps make them safer for everyone.

Making it easier to walk, cycle and ride

Quiet lanes make walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding feel safer and more comfortable for people of all ages and abilities. They help people make short local trips, reach nearby villages, and access footpaths and bridleways more easily. Similar schemes elsewhere have shown that when traffic levels drop, more people choose to use these routes.

Better access for more people

Minor roads that are currently bridleways can be difficult to use if you have limited mobility, use a wheelchair, or rely on adapted cycles. Quiet lanes offer a smoother, safer alternative on the road, giving more people the freedom to travel locally in ways that work for them.

A quieter, cleaner environment

By removing unnecessary through traffic, quiet lanes help reduce noise, vibration and air pollution. They also protect verges and hedgerows from damage, supporting wildlife and helping to preserve the countryside for residents and visitors alike.

Protecting the character of rural lanes

Quiet lanes help keep minor roads as calm, peaceful places rather than busy cut‑throughs. This protects the look, feel and biodiversity of the countryside while still allowing access for residents, farmers and businesses.

Little impact on journey times

Overall journey times for drivers are usually only slightly affected because suitable alternative routes must be available. . Through traffic is directed onto roads designed to carry it, while local access remains in place.

Works with other transport and travel improvements 

The new quiet lanes are designed to work alongside other initiatives such as greenways and the ambitions of our Local Transport and Connectivity Plan and Local Walking and Cycling Plans to provide improved options for active travel between villages, towns, and the outer edges of Oxford. 

What we are proposing

Any future quiet lanes will be delivered using full motor‑traffic filtering, which will mean:

• through‑traffic is prohibited using physical and legal measures (such as bollards or gates), but
• access for residents, landowners, emergency services and essential vehicles is retained.

Each site will be different, but this might look like:

• modal filters to prevent through‑motor traffic, such as bollards and gates
• Quiet lane designation and signing
• speed limit changes (including 20mph where appropriate)
• cameras under special circumstances

County council officers will work closely with local parish and town councils and elected county council members to ensure schemes are proportionate, deliverable and sensitive to the local needs, character and environment.

Funding

The programme of pilots is funded by a county council capital allocation.

Stay up to date

Email quietlanes@oxfordshire.gov.uk to ask the team a question or call our customer services team on 01865 519800, who will arrange for someone to get in touch with you.

We also recommend signing up to our county travel and transport bulletin: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/contact-council/sign-hear-us