HIGHWAYS officials are to experiment with a new type of public thoroughfare, described as being between a road and a footpath.

Work could start next year on the creation of a possible network of quiet lanes -rural roads which walkers, cyclists, horse riders and slow-moving vehicles could all use.

Talks between Durham County Council and Derwentside District Council have identified possible locations to pilot the initiative.

Discussions are also being held with district councils in Teesdale and Wear Valley with a view to extending the schemes into the Dales.

Durham County Council's lead cabinet member on travel and transportation, Councillor Bob Pendlebury, said a similar scheme was being piloted in Norfolk. He said: "We will be looking for country roads where the speed and volume of traffic is already low and where nearby alternative routes are available on to which even more traffic could be easily diverted.

"Although they will be open to walkers, cyclists, horse riders and traffic, no one group will have priority over another. Safety is dependent on the mutual co-operation."