Why are UK country roads so narrow?

I have never been able to understand what seem to effectively be one lane roads.
No room for two cars to pass.
Yes, it would keep the speed down but what are the fatal accident rates?

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Gusman · 61-69, M

I thank all members who responded.
I honestly never thought about horse and carts or walking tracks.
I do believe that a grading on either side of the road will allow for two lanes.
Convince me otherwise.

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@Gusman The land either side is all privately owned sometimes with high banks (especially in the south-west) or very soft ground either side. The compulsory purchase, engineering and other costs would not be worth the amount of traffic which goes down those lanes. Even those who use them for work, like the local farmers, would not be happy to spend a lot of tax money on widening it for tourists and other visitors.