QUIET country lanes in East Lancashire will be a thing of the past in the next century, unless the Government acts soon, say countryside campaigners.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England is predicting traffic levels in the North West countryside will rise more than 100 per cent over the next 30 years, far outstripping urban growth.

And they say unless the Government acts now to introduce new transport choices 'sprawl and congestion' will hit country lanes sooner than most people think.

The CPRE's head of transport, Lilli Matson, said: "In counties like Lancashire, spiralling traffic levels mean that the chances of finding tranquil countryside or quiet country lanes to enjoy will become increasingly rare.

"It is vital the Government's policies for stopping urban sprawl and delivering a transport revolution succeed. If these policies fail, it will be the countryside that bears the brunt of traffic growth." The CPRE is calling on the Government to:

Lower speed limits on rural roads to 40mph and to 20mph in villages.

Introduce 'Quiet Lanes,' where walkers, cyclists and horse riders have legal priority over cars.

Set a national target to reduce traffic levels in rural areas.

Increase transport choice by safeguarding long-term funding for rural buses and trains and by reducing the need to travel by maintaining local shops and services within the reach of local residents.

Lilli Matson added: "There can be no room for complacency. Even with successful policies, traffic levels are forecast to increase in Lancashire.

"If transport and urban policies fail, or are reversed, the situation could be much worse, with more than a doubling in traffic on rural roads over the next 30 years."

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