Traffic on Lancashire's rural roads could almost double over the next 30 years if action is not taken to stop it, according to a new report.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England is calling for national and local government to take steps to tame traffic in rural areas.

The report by the CPRE, Traffic Trauma or Tranquillity? predicts a 93 per cent increase in traffic - another 835 cars per road, per day - on Lancashire's rural roads by 2031 if nothing is done.

But if the Government's policies on transport and regenerating urban areas were successful, the charity claims traffic growth could be restricted to 41 per cent.

The organisation is calling for national and local government to take a strong stand against traffic-generating developments and regenerate urban areas.

It also wants the introduction of lower speed limits of 40mph on rural roads and 20mph in villages, as well as "quiet lanes" where walkers, cyclists and horse riders have legal priority over motorised traffic. The charity believes long-term funding for rural buses should be safeguarded and the need to travel reduced by maintaining local shops and services within reach of local residents.

And it is calling for action to increase the costs of travelling by car in comparison with public transport, with the revenues from fuel taxes and congestion or parking charges reinvested in improving transport options.

CPRE's head of transport, Lilli Matson, said: "There can be no room for complacency. Even with successful policies, traffic levels are forecast to increase in all counties.

"If transport and urban policies fail or are reversed, the situation could be much worse - with a doubling in traffic on rural roads over the next 30 years.

"Traffic Trauma or Tranquillity? makes it clear just how vital the Government's policies are for stopping urban sprawl and delivering a transport 'revolution'. If these policies fail it will be the countryside that bears the brunt of traffic growth."

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