A PUBLIC highway in Derwentside is to be designated as a quiet lane.

Durham county councillors have approved plans to give the status to Pontop Pike Lane, near Annfield Plain, Stanley, as part of a pilot scheme.

Quiet lanes are minor rural roads that are appropriate for shared use by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and motorists.

They are intended to improve travel choice, quality of life and the strategic management of rural roads.

The aim is to benefit those living nearby and local businesses, as well as visitors.

Pontop Pike Lane was suggested in a report by the council's acting director of environment, David Miller.

Durham County Council's highways committee approved the recommendation, which will include entry gateways, speed control measures such as rumble strips in the road, signing and visual road narrowing using different coloured road surfacing.

In January and February, the council asked people for their views by distributing 8,000 leaflets and questionnaires and held three exhibitions.

There was a ten per cent return rate with 74 per cent in favour and 11 per cent opposed to the scheme.