A 20mph speed limit could be imposed on narrow roads and lanes around Keighley.

The move comes after countryside, recreation, and transport groups joined forces to launch the Charter for Country Lanes this week. The charter highlights the threats facing country lanes throughout Brit-ain and sets out an agenda for action by the Government and local authorities.

Stanbury, where the main road is just 12 feet wide at its narrowest point, would particularly benefit. The roads around Haworth's Penistone Hill - all without speed limits and used by many walkers, cyclists and horse riders - would also be made safer.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) claims Britain's country lanes are being swamped by traffic while walkers, cyclists and horse riders are being driven off rural routes by the fear of traffic accidents.

Mary Fraser Hay, CPRE's West Yorkshire development officer, says areas such as Stanbury and Penistone Hill would benefit from tougher controls on traffic. "We would like to see a lot more 40mph speed limits on 'C' and minor roads," she told us.

She says lorries and cars use the road through Stanbury as a quick way between Keighley and Lancashire. People living on Stanbury's main street park their cars on the road because it is the only way of slowing drivers down, she points out.

She also calls for 10mph speed limits at Penistone Hill.

Among the measures being suggested are:

a lowering of speed limits

the introduction of a new category of country lane where walkers, cyclists and riders would have priority over motorists

stopping the spread of new developments.

A Bradford council spokes-man says a recent survey in Stanbury revealed that only seven of the goods vehicles using the road were making long journeys - the rest were delivering locally.

"Penistone Hill provides access to a number of properties and farm land as well as moorland," he adds.

"It would require detailed investigations and consultations before any changes could be made."

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