A study will be launched this summer into the feasibility of setting up a network of "quiet lanes" in the Ledbury area.

Herefordshire Council is considering the idea to encourage walking, cycling and horse riding.

The bold initiative, linking Ledbury to Colwall, via Coddington, means some existing minor roads would effectively be turned into recreational facilities.

Although the quiet lanes initiative does not feature on the Local Transport Plan and no funding exists at present, Herefordshire Council believes the scheme could become a pilot for the rest of the county.

It already has the support of the Countryside Agency and similar projects have been running successfully in Kent and Norfolk.

Plans for the feasibility study were revealed at a meeting of Ledbury District Liaison Group.

Speaking at the meeting at Ledbury Primary School, Herefordshire Council engineering consultant Steve Morgan, of Halcrow, said: "We need to protect the character of country lanes for the future. If we don't act now we may not have anything to preserve, due to increased traffic in rural areas."

Mr Morgan said designated quiet lanes could be preserved from heavy traffic through public consensus, cattle grids and widened verges. However, urban features like kerbs and bollards would not be used.

The lanes could have narrowed entrances with entrance signs. The idea is that cars would travel more slowly, or that motorists would choose to avoid them altogether.

Mr Morgan said: "It's not an attempt to deny access to the car. The aim is to make drivers more aware and considerate to other road users. It's not about traffic calming, it's about protecting the quiet lanes we have."

The Rector of Ledbury, the Rev Preb Dr Colin Beevers, called it "a splendid initiative".

However, he added: "I just wonder, how do you actually get motorists to slow down?"

Alan Starkey expressed his dislike of walking in lanes, while Roy Stockton, Herefordshire councillor for Hope End, said: "At the height of summer you cannot say that a lane will be free of farm traffic. How do you allow a lane to be a quiet lane when farmers still need to use it?"