PROJECTS AND PROSPECTS IN EUROPE: THE CHANNEL TUNNEL

The author considers a number of problems connected with the creation of major European surface transport networks which have been illustrated by the Channel Tunnel. Discussed first is the importance of missing links and the need for uniform development of infrastructure particularly in terms of capacity. It is anticipated that the link between the Channel Tunnel and London will be a bottleneck. Secondly, decisions being taken concerning safety and security in the Channel Tunnel may be seen as a precedent for excessively severe regulations on all European railways. Lastly, railway technical harmonisation is seen as a particularly important challenge.Reconciliation of the technical and operational requirements of British Rail, SNCF and SNCB in constructing the Channel Tunnel served to highlight the considerable problems and costs involved. This paper was presented at the EURAILSPEED 92 conference held in Brussels, April 27-29, 1992. For the covering abstract see IRRD 853180.