Avenue Verte

The Avenue Verte/Greenway is a joint Anglo-French initiative assisted by Europe, to develop a largely traffic-free route between Paris and London (via the Dieppe – Newhaven ferry) for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. A route was put in place in time for the 2012 London Olympic Games. The route is not yet finalised and several sections are noted on the Avenue Verte website as being temporary.

England

Section of NCN Route 21 north of Heathfield

In England, the route would follow the National Cycle Network (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 would 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 ending at St Paul's Cathedral.

Section of NCN Route 21 near A26 at Eridge in poor condition

The 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 mountain bike is recommended.[1]

France

Sign in Dieppe town centre marking the D1 and Avenue Verte start
Section of Avenue Verte running from Dieppe to Forges-les-Eaux

In France, the Avenue Verte follows the former Dieppe to Paris railway for 40 km. It currently starts just outside Dieppe at Arques-la-Bataille 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.

References

  1. ↑ BBC Magazine on Avenue Verte
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