CYCLISTS have welcomed plans for a long-awaited 170-mile bike route, which will soon cross the county.

The Oxfordshire leg of the circular Chilterns Cycleway will pass close to Wallingford and through Ewelme, before heading north-west.

Wallingford cyclist Alison Smart, who chairs the transport group of Sustainable Wallingford, helped road test the proposed route.

She said: “We want to encourage new people who may be nervous about cycling to think about giving it a go.

“If they pick up leaflets and see a route already planned for them and know that it’s safe, then it will encourage them to start.”

After crossing the M40, the trail will pass through Stokenchurch then head north close to Chinnor.

The complete route, touring the 326 square miles covered by the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, passes close to Luton and Stevenage in the north, and through Henley in the south.

The announcement of a £48,000 grant from the European Union and the Government means the cycleway will be opened in the summer.

Ms Smart added: “We know the local roads, but don’t know roads further afield.

“Routes like this mean you can go out and have a pleasant ride without too much effort.”

Signs will soon be put up along the route, and a website and leaflets will be produced for a launch later in the year.

Most of the route will be along quiet country roads, with directions to railway stations, towns and tourist attractions.

Annette Venters, of the Chilterns Conservation Board, said: “It’s fantastic to get the funding we need to make this project happen.

“The cycleway will provide the sort of enjoyable leisure cycling in lovely surroundings that lots of people are looking for, and it will boost businesses along the route, like bed and breakfasts and pubs.”

Sustainable Wallingford has also produced its own leaflet of cycle rides in the surrounding area to link up with the 170-mile-long trail.

The leaflets are available at Wallingford Information Centre, the library, shops, pubs and local tourist attractions.