Norfolk County Council is using the power of 'special branch' - to pilot a green solution to speeding on rural roads.
Tree planting on a through-road in Martham is already underway with similar schemes in Mundesley, Overstrand and Horstead to follow, as part of a pioneering road safety project in rural areas.
The idea is that the roadside trees, where very few currently exist, will create an 'avenue effect' and encourage drivers to slow down along roads which have previously had a history of speeding.
Staff from the County Council's wholly owned trading arm - the Norse Group, have already begun planting a number of four metre high trees in Somerton Road in Martham, with trees also set to be lined along Repps Road and Hemsby Road, Cromer Road in Mundesley, Cromer Road in Overstrand, and Norwich Road in Horstead in the next few weeks.
In addition, 440 metres of hedge will also be planted in Martham.
In total, 163 trees will be planted along the 30mph routes, that are used to approach and enter the four villages.
The routes are relatively straight and wide on approach and in the past have seen problems with speeding.
Adrian Gunson, Norfolk County Council's Cabinet member for Planning and Transportation, said:
"Cars are essential for many people living in rural communities, yet speeding traffic increases accident risk and undermines the quality of life that people value in their villages.
"This trial is an innovative, environmentally friendly, experiment to find road safety solutions that are suited to rural areas.
"The idea is to use the trees and heges to create an avenue effect to try and limit drivers' peripheral vision and make them slow down accordingly as they enter the respective villages.
"We have had positive feedback from local residents and the parish councils in the areas - who in addition to supporting the aims of the scheme feel that the use of trees and hedges will also improve the appearance of the area."
The trial will involve a range of native trees - with oak, field maple, birch and hornbeam being used to create a gateway effect on roads which presently have either no trees or just a few on one side of the road.
All the trees are expected to be planted by the end of the month.
The £70,000 trial is part of the County Council's Rural Road Safety Demonstration project in north-east Norfolk - where the council is piloting new rural road safety initiatives on behalf of the Department for Transport - with findings of the £1.5 million project set to be shared nationally.
