Country Lanes and Villages Bill

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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Arrangement of Clauses (Contents)

Country Lanes and Villages Bill

A
B I L L
TO
Enable traffic authorities to make provision in rural areas for the designation of highways where pedestrians, pedal cyclists and horse riders have priority on the carriageway over mechanically propelled vehicles for the purpose of improving safety and protecting the character of the countryside; to make provision for reduction of the national speed limit for certain rural roads; and for related purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

Quiet lanes.     1. - (1) A local authority may designate any rural road within their area and for which they are the traffic authority as a quiet lane for any of the following purposes-

(a) improving safety on rural roads, especially for pedestrians, pedal cyclists and horse riders, by reducing the risk of accidents;

(b) promoting integrated transport policies;

(c) encouraging the enjoyment of the countryside;

(d) improving facilities for pedestrians or pedal cyclists;

(e) protecting the character and distinctiveness of the countryside from damage by unsuitable traffic and traffic speeds.

    (2) Before designating a rural road as a quiet lane, a local traffic authority shall consult-

(a) in England, any unitary county council, district council or parish council;

(b) in Wales, any county council or community council;

(c) in Scotland, any district council or community council;

and

(d) such bodies or persons concerned with the protection of the environment and such representatives of relevant road user groups or local businesses as they think fit

in any area which may be directly affected by the designation.

    (3) The driver of a motor vehicle on a quiet lane shall accord precedence to any pedestrian, pedal cyclist or horse rider on that lane.

Procedures for designating quiet lanes, etc.     2. - (1) As soon as is practicable and no later than six months after the coming into force of this Act the Secretary of State shall issue guidance as to the exercise by a local traffic authority of its powers under section 1 above.

    (2) Guidance under this section shall include guidance on-

(a) the meaning of "rural road";

(b) the procedures for designating a rural road as a quiet lane;

(c) the level of public consultation required under section 1(2) above;

(d) traffic signs for quiet lanes; and

(e) the use of traffic calming measures in ways which do not harm the quality of the local environment.

    (3) The Secretary of State may, if he deems it appropriate, issue different guidance to different authorities or for different areas.

Speed limits.     3. The Schedule (which amends part I of Schedule 6 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) has effect.

Expenses.     4. There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament any increases attributable to this Act in the sums so payable under any other enactment.

Interpretation.     5. In this Act-

the expression "rural road" shall be construed in accordance with guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 2 above;

"motor vehicle" has the meaning given in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

"village" means a group of dwellings (in excess of one half of the frontages) on both sides of a road.

Corresponding provision for Northern Ireland.     6. An Order in Council under paragraph 1(1)(b) of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974 which states that it is made for purposes corresponding to those of this Act-

(a) shall not be subject to paragraph 1(4) and (5) of that Schedule (affirmative resolution of both Houses of Parliament), but

(b) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Short title, commencement and extent.     7. - (1) This Act may be cited as the Country Lanes and Villages Act 1999.

    (2) This Act shall come into force two months after the date on which it is passed.

    (3) This Act extends to Scotland.

© Parliamentary copyright 1999
Prepared 13 May 1999

Country Lanes and Villages Bill

	A B I L L TO Enable traffic authorities to make provision in rural areas for the designation of highways where pedestrians, pedal cyclists and horse riders have priority on the carriageway over mechanically propelled vehicles for the purpose of improving safety and protecting the character of the countryside; to make provision for reduction of the national speed limit for certain rural roads; and for related purposes. BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-
Quiet lanes.	1. - (1) A local authority may designate any rural road within their area and for which they are the traffic authority as a quiet lane for any of the following purposes-
	(a) improving safety on rural roads, especially for pedestrians, pedal cyclists and horse riders, by reducing the risk of accidents;
	(b) promoting integrated transport policies;
	(c) encouraging the enjoyment of the countryside;
	(d) improving facilities for pedestrians or pedal cyclists;
	(e) protecting the character and distinctiveness of the countryside from damage by unsuitable traffic and traffic speeds.
	(2) Before designating a rural road as a quiet lane, a local traffic authority shall consult-
	(a) in England, any unitary county council, district council or parish council;
	(b) in Wales, any county council or community council;
	(c) in Scotland, any district council or community council;
	and
	(d) such bodies or persons concerned with the protection of the environment and such representatives of relevant road user groups or local businesses as they think fit
	in any area which may be directly affected by the designation.
	(3) The driver of a motor vehicle on a quiet lane shall accord precedence to any pedestrian, pedal cyclist or horse rider on that lane.
Procedures for designating quiet lanes, etc.	2. - (1) As soon as is practicable and no later than six months after the coming into force of this Act the Secretary of State shall issue guidance as to the exercise by a local traffic authority of its powers under section 1 above.
	(2) Guidance under this section shall include guidance on-
	(a) the meaning of "rural road";
	(b) the procedures for designating a rural road as a quiet lane;
	(c) the level of public consultation required under section 1(2) above;
	(d) traffic signs for quiet lanes; and
	(e) the use of traffic calming measures in ways which do not harm the quality of the local environment.
	(3) The Secretary of State may, if he deems it appropriate, issue different guidance to different authorities or for different areas.
Speed limits.	3. The Schedule (which amends part I of Schedule 6 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) has effect.
Expenses.	4. There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament any increases attributable to this Act in the sums so payable under any other enactment.
Interpretation.	5. In this Act-
	the expression "rural road" shall be construed in accordance with guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 2 above;
	"motor vehicle" has the meaning given in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;
	"village" means a group of dwellings (in excess of one half of the frontages) on both sides of a road.
Corresponding provision for Northern Ireland.	6. An Order in Council under paragraph 1(1)(b) of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974 which states that it is made for purposes corresponding to those of this Act-
	(a) shall not be subject to paragraph 1(4) and (5) of that Schedule (affirmative resolution of both Houses of Parliament), but
	(b) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Short title, commencement and extent.	7. - (1) This Act may be cited as the Country Lanes and Villages Act 1999.
	(2) This Act shall come into force two months after the date on which it is passed.
	(3) This Act extends to Scotland.