London to Paris bicycle route proposed

Plans for a 218-mile bicycle route connecting London and Paris have been unveiled, according to a report in the Croydon Guardian.

British and French councils hope the route, primarily consisting of traffic-free paths through Wandsworth, Croydon, Surrey and East Sussex before arriving at the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry crossing, will be in place in time for the 2012 Olympics.

"The first cycle route was the Bristol to Bath railway path, which grew into the national cycle network, so why not connect a route from London to Paris, especially as there is likely to be pressure on our transport networks during the Olympics," said Shasha Khan, a Croydon Green Party member. "This is a novel idea and I would welcome any projects that encourage people to leave the car at home and get on their bike."

Cost estimates for the British side of the route are expected to reach £30m, but European Union funding may be available, which would include signs in both English and French.