ONE of Europe's largest cycle paths is set to be created between St Paul's Cathedral and Notre Dame in Paris.

Councils are planning a 218-mile route from Britain to France in time for the London Olympics in 2012.

The multi-million pound path would be mostly free of traffic and is already backed by local authorities on both sides of the channel.

Cyclists on the proposed route will head to the coast via Wandsworth and Croydon. Using existing National Cycle Network routes they will pass through Surrey, and West and East Sussex, crossing the channel via ferry from Newhaven and Dieppe.

In France the new "Avenue Verte" will follow the route of the former Dieppe to Paris railway line.

Robin Reed, principal transport planner at East Sussex county council, told the Standard that the scheme was in its early stages but was widely supported in Britain and France.

He said: "It all started when some French officials came to Sussex to look at a cycle track we had built from Polegate to Heathfield, along the abandoned Cuckoo Line railway track. They were impressed and they went back and did the same thing in France, from Dieppe to Forge-les-Eaux. 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."

Meetings have been held by the British and French councils involved.

Mr Reed estimates that completing the project to a high standard - including branding the track and putting in signposts in both languages - would cost up to £30 million for the British side alone. "It is very ambitious," he admitted, "but if it happened it would be a great thing."

Officials now need to draw up a detailed route map before seeking funding.

Mr Reed said: "Realistically none of the authorities has the money to just pay for this, but there is the potential for European Union funding."

A spokesperson for Boris Johnson said: "The Mayor is always keen to hear ideas that might encourage more people to use two wheels or two feet. Transport for London already provides some funding for Avenue Verte."

The scheme was also welcomed by cycle campaigners. Tom Bogdanowicz, of the London Cycle Campaign, said: "In principle we would welcome an addition to the cycle lanes in this country."

A spokeswoman for Sustrans, the charity which oversees the 10,000-mile National Cycle Network and is involved in developing the route, said it would like to see the project complete by the 2012 Olympics. Darren Johnson, Green member of the London Assembly, said: "Avenue Verte would be a wonderful addition to London's Olympic heritage."

Proposed route from London to Paris Click image for bigger picture and details





Tour de France and Britain ... what you can see

St Paul's Cathedral

Magnificent Baroque church and London landmark designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1673.

'Cuckoo Line' railway track

Trail through Horam, Hailsham and Polegate offers views of Sussex countryside and chance to visit Polegate Tower Windmill and Hailsham markets.

Glyndebourne

Spectacular 700-year old country house near Lewes which stages the annual opera festival.

Forest Way Country Park

Route from East Grinstead to Groombridge, near 17thcentury moathouse Groombridge Place.

Neufchâtel-en-Bray

Famous farming town on the banks of the river Béthune.

Notre Dame de Paris

The finest example of Gothic architecture in France. First stone was laid in the 12th century.