London to Paris cycle route proposals revealed

Ambitious plans have been revealed to create a cycle path from London to Paris, amounting to 218 miles of safe routes for bike users.

Councils from both sides of the channel are planning to scheme and hope for it to be up and running in time for the 2012 Olympics.

The proposals would see the route run mainly along traffic-free tracks, from London to Wandsworth and Croydon and then through Surrey and East Sussex, arriving at the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry crossing.

Robin Reed, principal transport planner at East Sussex county council, says the plan began when French officials mimicked a cycle trail in the UK.

"The idea was you could link the two up using the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry. Then it was decided that the whole thing could be expanded," he adds.

He adds that it could cost up to £30 million to complete the British side alone, including signage in both languages and says there is potential for European Union funding.

Sustrans, a sustainable transport charity, has recently called on schools to apply for £17 million of funding to create cycle paths to give children safe routes to school.

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