Avenue Verte
Encyclopedia
The Avenue Verte/Greenway is a joint Anglo-French initiative helped by Europe, to develop a largely traffic free route between Paris
and London
(via the Newhaven
– Dieppe
ferry) for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. It is hoped a route will be in place for the 2012 London Olympics Games
.
(NCN) Route 21
between London and the South coast. In East Sussex
, the Avenue Verte incorporates existing paths including the Cuckoo Trail
and Forest Way
, offering more than 30 km of traffic-free cycling, walking and horse riding along former railway lines.
The route will continue to Newhaven as NCN Route 2, along the South coast, into West Sussex
to the West and Kent
to the East.
North of East Sussex, the route would follow NCN 21
through West Sussex, Surrey
and into London. Here, the route would pass through several boroughs before coming to an end at St Paul's Cathedral
.
A majority of the route on the English side is unpaved and in parts in so poor condition that it is not suitable for roadbikes, instead a hybrid or MTB is recommended.
and stops again just outside Forges-les-Eaux
but once complete, the route will extend to Paris almost entirely on traffic-free routes.
Directions: Leaving the ferry terminal at Dieppe, head towards the town centre. At the harbour bridge you will see signs for Avenue Verte and D1.
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(via the Newhaven
Newhaven, East Sussex
Newhaven is a town in the Lewes District of East Sussex in England. It lies at the mouth of the River Ouse, on the English Channel coast, and is a ferry port for services to France.-Origins:...
– Dieppe
Dieppe, Seine-Maritime
Dieppe is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in France. In 1999, the population of the whole Dieppe urban area was 81,419.A port on the English Channel, famous for its scallops, and with a regular ferry service from the Gare Maritime to Newhaven in England, Dieppe also has a popular pebbled...
ferry) for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. It is hoped a route will be in place for the 2012 London Olympics Games
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
.
England
In England, the route uses the National Cycle NetworkNational Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
(NCN) Route 21
National Cycle Route 21
National Cycle Route 21 is part of the United Kingdom's National Cycle Network. It runs from Greenwich in South-East London south to Crawley, then east to Groombridge and south to Eastbourne, with a short final loop northwards again to its end at Pevensey....
between London and the South coast. In East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
, the Avenue Verte incorporates existing paths including the Cuckoo Trail
Cuckoo Trail
The Cuckoo Trail is an footpath and cycleway which runs from Hampden Park to Heathfield in East Sussex. It passes through the towns of Polegate and Hailsham, as well as the villages of Hellingly and Horam.- History :...
and Forest Way
Forest Way
The Forest Way is a linear Country park providing walking, cycling, horse riding and the quiet enjoyment of the countryside. It runs for around 16 km from East Grinstead to Groombridge....
, offering more than 30 km of traffic-free cycling, walking and horse riding along former railway lines.
The route will continue to Newhaven as NCN Route 2, along the South coast, into West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
to the West and Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
to the East.
North of East Sussex, the route would follow NCN 21
National Cycle Route 21
National Cycle Route 21 is part of the United Kingdom's National Cycle Network. It runs from Greenwich in South-East London south to Crawley, then east to Groombridge and south to Eastbourne, with a short final loop northwards again to its end at Pevensey....
through West Sussex, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
and into London. Here, the route would pass through several boroughs before coming to an end at St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
.
A majority of the route on the English side is unpaved and in parts in so poor condition that it is not suitable for roadbikes, instead a hybrid or MTB is recommended.
France
In France, the Avenue Verte follows the former Dieppe to Paris railway for 40 km. It currently starts just outside Dieppe at Arques-la-BatailleArques-la-Bataille
Arques-la-Bataille is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Geography:Arques is situated near the confluence of the rivers Eaulne, Varenne and Béthune, with the forest of Arques to the north-east...
and stops again just outside Forges-les-Eaux
Forges-les-Eaux
Forges-les-Eaux is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Geography:A farming and spa town, with considerable light industry, situated by the banks of the rivers Andelle and Epte, in the Pays de Bray, some southeast of Dieppe, at the junction...
but once complete, the route will extend to Paris almost entirely on traffic-free routes.
Directions: Leaving the ferry terminal at Dieppe, head towards the town centre. At the harbour bridge you will see signs for Avenue Verte and D1.
External links
- Independent guide to the Avenue Verte - Redirects to http://thames-path.com/MU/avenueverte/ which gives 404 - not found
- East Sussex Council Presentation
- Franco-British promoting cross-border cycle routes
- BBC News