Why are UK country roads so narrow?

[Bretrick]

I have never been able to understand what seem to effectively be one lane roads.
No room for two cars to pass.
Yes, it would keep the speed down but what are the fatal accident rates?

 

[hollydolly]

I have never been able to understand what seem to effectively be one lane roads.
No room for two cars to pass.
Yes, it would keep the speed down but what are the fatal accident rates?

comparitively few because the one lane roads tend to be mostly in rural areas , where there's not a huge volume of traffic...

More at risk are livestock, like horses

 

[horseless carriage]

The UK's narrow country roads are narrow because they are very old, originating as footpaths and tracks before the advent of the motor car. These ancient routes were designed for people, packhorses, and herded animals, navigating around natural obstacles like trees and rivers, and took the easiest path, resulting in winding routes. When wider roads were needed, the expense of acquiring land made it impractical to significantly alter these established routes, leading to the narrow lanes we have today.

 

[Tommy]

I recall in the mid 90s driving through a small town in Yorkshire, England. As I negotiated my little rental car along the narrow road I couldn't help thinking about the Mercury Grand Marquis in my garage at home. It wouldn't have even fit between the curbs.

 

[WOLF ANGEL]

A lot of these 'roads' 'were' and are ;Lanes' .
Primarily uesed as pathways between, to and from farms, and/or lomger distances.
As an alternative for the increasingly used Motorways and 'A; roads they have become rat-runs and over-used.

They weren't made for conintual vehicular use.
This perhaps why there are so many blind corners , narrow bridge (one vehicle at a time) crossings and let's not forget those low bridges.

methinks

 

[RadishRose]

A lot of these 'roads' 'were' and are ;Lanes' .
Primarily uesed as pathways between, to and from farms, and/or lomger distances.
As an alternative for the increasingly used Motorways and 'A; roads they have become rat-runs and over-used.

They weren't made for conintual vehicular use.
This perhaps why there are so many blind corners , narrow bridge (one vehicle at a time) crossings and let's not forget those low bridges.

methinks

Seems like their Dept. of Transportation (or the UK equivalent) didn't think those roads were important enough or were too short-sighted, to spend money on this part of their infrastructure. Surely the government collected enough tax? Maybe not.

 

[WOLF ANGEL]

Seems like their Dept. of Transportation (or the UK equivalent) didn't think those roads were important enough or were too short-sighted, to spend money on this part of their infrastructure. Surely the government collected enough tax? Maybe not.

It is; I feel, a cost-effectiveness view held by transport office.
Big (initial) expense - and subsequent maintainance - with the possiblity of litigation following accidents (?)
They're far happier in leaving to the individuasl's choice "You drive your car, you take your chance"

 

[Magna-Carta]

Seems like their Dept. of Transportation (or the UK equivalent) didn't think those roads were important enough or were too short-sighted, to spend money on this part of their infrastructure. Surely the government collected enough tax? Maybe not.

The thing is, the landowners were there centuries before these “single-track roads” existed. Originally they were just unpaved tracks or lanes, later surfaced by local councils once motor vehicles became common.

They are still low-use roads, originally intended for moving between farmland rather than carrying heavy traffic. I doubt a local council is going to force the sale of farmland just to make these lanes wider. I can't see our national Ministry of Transport getting involved either -- their priorities lie with busier A-roads and motorways.

In the UK, hedgerows and, in some cases, 'dry stone walls', and centuries old narrow stone bridges are protected. The government encourages landowners to look after and maintain these hedgerows, both for wildlife habitats and to preserve the historic character of the countryside.

 

[Magna-Carta]

Anyway, speaking of single-track roads (which generally have passing places), this is one I’ve travelled along three or four times. It’s surrounded by farmland, and at the top you’ll find the remains of a Roman fort -- the B5289 in Cumbria, UK.

Rule number 155: "...these roads may have special passing places. If you see an oncoming vehicle, or a driver behind wants to overtake, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right. Give way to vehicles coming uphill whenever possible. If necessary, reverse until you reach a passing place to let the other vehicle pass. Slow down when passing pedestrians, cyclists, or horse riders."


Relax, sit back, enjoy the views, and don’t forget to breathe in at the right spots. Be courteous to other road users coming the other way, and try not to run over the sheep. Patience is a virtue. The B5289, Cumbria, UK -- it’s actually steeper than it looks!

 

[horseless carriage]

I recall in the mid 90s driving through a small town in Yorkshire, England. As I negotiated my little rental car along the narrow road I couldn't help thinking about the Mercury Grand Marquis in my garage at home. It wouldn't have even fit between the curbs.

You think your Mercury Grand Marquis would be a tight squeeze?