Work on a £1 million seafront cycle lane could begin next year.

Leading Worthing councillors agreed a schedule of work for the route from Sea Lane, Ferring, to Western Road, Worthing, at a meeting last night.

A borough council report also outlined how the scheme would be paid for.

The section of the proposed lane between Western Road and Splash Point, Worthing, could be built by June 2004.

The route from Splash Point to George V Avenue, Worthing, by March 2005, from George V Avenue to Sea Lane, Worthing, by June 2006 and Sea lane, Worthing, to Sea Lane, Ferring, by June 2008.

To pay for the work, the borough council would commit £40,000 a year for the next three years.

West Sussex County Council is prepared to pay more than £140,000 in the next two years.

Bids from the Department of Transport's Cycle Project Funds could also help pay for the work.

More funds could be raised from dredging aggregates levy and council officers are investigating whether dredging rights exist in the channel off Worthing.

Councillor Brian McLuskie object to dredging so close to the town and said: "I am concerned with the possibility of erosion of the coast line. There is evidence that specific dredging can cause problems with the stability of the coast line."

Cliff Harrison, the borough's assistant director of property services, said too much dredging could affect the source of shingle but more research needed to be done before any definite conclusions could be reached.