Jersey's Green Lanes scheme nationally recognised

News imageBBC A road sign with a squirrel on it, with a small circular 15 mile per hour speed limit sign above it. There is a tree in the background. BBC
Active Travel England said the lanes made roads more enjoyable for all

Island laws where walkers, cyclists and horse riders have priority on some roads over vehicles have been recognised nationally.

In 1994, Jersey brought in laws for lanes across the island to have a 15mph (24km) speed limit, where countryside users had priority over vehicles.

Active Travel England said the lanes benefited tourism and the economy, and principles have been included in its Rural Design Guide.

Chairman of the Comité des Connétables, Constable Andy Jehan, said the scheme was "a fantastic initiative and one the island should be applauded for".

News imageConstable Andy Jehan stood on one of the green lanes wearing a navy suit jacket and white shirt. There is a concrete path, trees and a road sign with a squirrel on it in the background.
Constable Andy Jehan said it was quite exciting the network had been recognised nationally

Jersey's government said the lanes spanned a 50 to 67-mile (80-108km) network of rural roads across 10 of the island's 12 parishes.

The lanes were among 17 projects across Britain to feature in the design guide for safer walking and cycling routes.

The guide said they made the roads more enjoyable for all and encouraged a cleaner and quieter environment in the countryside.

Jehan said it was quite exciting the Green Lanes network had been recognised nationally as a good model.

He said there had been a significant increase in the use of the lanes since Covid and they were looking at how they could connect the lanes from parish to parish.

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