Sure, why not.
Should the Channel Tunnel be closed and demolished?
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Originally Posted by jra:
“Why not. It's a gateway into and out of Europe without having to fly or take the ferry. Some of us would prefer not to fly for example.
And if we finally get our high speed train network up and running, the UK and continental networks can be directly linked up.
Even domestically it has had some benefits, as HS1 would never have been built if the Channel Tunnel hadn't, as part of HS1 is used for domestic high speed train services.
And there is still the possibility of being able to get direct high speed train services to countries like Germany and Spain, rather than having to change in France or Belgium.”
“Why not. It's a gateway into and out of Europe without having to fly or take the ferry. Some of us would prefer not to fly for example.
And if we finally get our high speed train network up and running, the UK and continental networks can be directly linked up.
Even domestically it has had some benefits, as HS1 would never have been built if the Channel Tunnel hadn't, as part of HS1 is used for domestic high speed train services.
And there is still the possibility of being able to get direct high speed train services to countries like Germany and Spain, rather than having to change in France or Belgium.”
In a perfect world the gateway would be ok to have, but we don't live in one, so security needs to be stepped up more than it is. Also once Brexit kicks in, getting to Europe might not be that easy, with very long queues to get anywhere in and out of Europe.
Originally Posted by bri160356:
“I agree;
…if the tunnel roof develops a catastrophic leak it would quickly drain the English Channel and permanently flood the entire South East of England to a depth of 20 feet.
It’s an accident waiting to happen;…brick it up at either end I say!”
“I agree;
…if the tunnel roof develops a catastrophic leak it would quickly drain the English Channel and permanently flood the entire South East of England to a depth of 20 feet.
It’s an accident waiting to happen;…brick it up at either end I say!”
Duhhhh!!!! Seeing as England is north of the Tunnel, the rapidly draining English Channel would flood downwards so northern France would be most affected.
If anything, the dissipating water would create more land mass in the south of England (the Isle of Wight for example would become part of mainland Britain rather than being an island populated solely by convicts and foreigners). House prices would plummet but the construction industry would flourish with all the new space to build on.
It can't happen soon enough!!
Originally Posted by Dix:
“In a perfect world the gateway would be ok to have, but we don't live in one, so security needs to be stepped up more than it is. Also once Brexit kicks in, getting to Europe might not be that easy, with very long queues to get anywhere in and out of Europe.”
“In a perfect world the gateway would be ok to have, but we don't live in one, so security needs to be stepped up more than it is. Also once Brexit kicks in, getting to Europe might not be that easy, with very long queues to get anywhere in and out of Europe.”
You mean the same very long queues as experienced when travelling outside of the EU, i.e. not very long queues at all?
Originally Posted by TrollHunter:
“Duhhhh!!!! Seeing as England is north of the Tunnel, the rapidly draining English Channel would flood downwards so northern France would be most affected.
If anything, the dissipating water would create more land mass in the south of England (the Isle of Wight for example would become part of mainland Britain rather than being an island populated solely by convicts and foreigners). House prices would plummet but the construction industry would flourish with all the new space to build on.
It can't happen soon enough!!”
“Duhhhh!!!! Seeing as England is north of the Tunnel, the rapidly draining English Channel would flood downwards so northern France would be most affected.
If anything, the dissipating water would create more land mass in the south of England (the Isle of Wight for example would become part of mainland Britain rather than being an island populated solely by convicts and foreigners). House prices would plummet but the construction industry would flourish with all the new space to build on.
It can't happen soon enough!!”
...result!
Originally Posted by TrollHunter:
“You mean the same very long queues as experienced when travelling outside of the EU, i.e. not very long queues at all?”
“You mean the same very long queues as experienced when travelling outside of the EU, i.e. not very long queues at all?”
But as so many want to go to Europe then, they're bound to get longer than usual. I think it would be easier to live on mainland Europe, then you'd have all the trains you want to get around on. Happy as Larry customers eh
I've used the tunnel many times and it's great, except that there are mega delays on the french side being processed by UK immigration. My guess is the mega delays will be on both sides post Brexit. The French wave you through at present, with a cursory glance at your passport. The UK don't. The UK passport computers take eons. As there is number plate recognition, it seems unnecessary, even in the current political climate. Anyhow it's a brilliant way to travel; 35 mins you're on the motorway in France, which is nothing like UK motorways - so much less traffic and stress.
Besides, right now the Tunnel is the only way to travel in and out of mainland Europe with pets. Eurostar ban them. Ferries make them stay apart from you, in the car, which is stressful on many animals on a longer sea crossing.
Besides, right now the Tunnel is the only way to travel in and out of mainland Europe with pets. Eurostar ban them. Ferries make them stay apart from you, in the car, which is stressful on many animals on a longer sea crossing.
Originally Posted by ianradioian:
“Ive never agreed with it being built; have never used it ( Have used the ferries often over the years) and could quite happily see it filled back in.”
“Ive never agreed with it being built; have never used it ( Have used the ferries often over the years) and could quite happily see it filled back in.”
Same here..Just take a second out think about all the cons since it has been built against the pro,s
Originally Posted by bri160356:
“I agree;
…if the tunnel roof develops a catastrophic leak it would quickly drain the English Channel and permanently flood the entire South East of England to a depth of 20 feet.
It’s an accident waiting to happen;…brick it up at either end I say!”
“I agree;
…if the tunnel roof develops a catastrophic leak it would quickly drain the English Channel and permanently flood the entire South East of England to a depth of 20 feet.
It’s an accident waiting to happen;…brick it up at either end I say!”
Don't be ridiculous it would only be 18 feet!
Originally Posted by An Thropologist:
“Very fule efficient but difficult to get the passenger and luggage to the same spot that way Muggins.”
“Very fule efficient but difficult to get the passenger and luggage to the same spot that way Muggins.”
A bit like flying then
Originally Posted by starry_rune:
“The only way in and out of the UK would then be flight and ships, who would carefully check passports and boarding passes before allowing people in. Furthermore it would lead to less trucks on the road and more factories creating goods from home.”
“The only way in and out of the UK would then be flight and ships, who would carefully check passports and boarding passes before allowing people in. Furthermore it would lead to less trucks on the road and more factories creating goods from home.”
Why would it lead to less trucks on the road ? firstly before the tunnel the lorries just went via ferry, secondly items we make at home still have to be delivered
Re passport checks, we have officers in France who carry out border controls for those entering the UK from stations that Eurostar comes from and the French have armed officers in the UK checking out going passengers .
Closing the tunnel will not stop people wanting to come to the UK. What needs to happen is a reinstating of land borders within mainland Europe, you can still have Schengen so that a person gets one Visa to cover all but you have to show your documents at each border. It will add a short wait at border control but surely that is preferable if it helps contain illegal entrants in the county they arrive in rather than once in being able to wander where they please. Genuine refugees fleeing danger should have no issue with being safe once landed and being processed where they arrive
Why don't we destroy every wheel and boat in the country; then those pesky Europeans will have to swim!
Originally Posted by Dix:
“In a perfect world the gateway would be ok to have, but we don't live in one, so security needs to be stepped up more than it is. Also once Brexit kicks in, getting to Europe might not be that easy, with very long queues to get anywhere in and out of Europe.”
“In a perfect world the gateway would be ok to have, but we don't live in one, so security needs to be stepped up more than it is. Also once Brexit kicks in, getting to Europe might not be that easy, with very long queues to get anywhere in and out of Europe.”
I suggest you look up Schengen Agreement. We haven't signed it, so when Brexit kicks in, you'll need a passport to leave or enter the UK, just like one does now, even though we are still in the EU. Stepping up security has nothing to do with Brexit. Either in or out of the EU it may be needed and it's highly unlikely entering or leaving the UK is going to become more difficult or there will be longer queues.
Originally Posted by Ben_Copland:
“Can't demolish that, it's one of the most miraculous man made things ever built. a tunnel under the god damn sea!”
“Can't demolish that, it's one of the most miraculous man made things ever built. a tunnel under the god damn sea!”
There are tunnels under the sea all over the world. Why is this one so special??
The tunnel is just wonderful in that you can get on a train in the centre of London and in 2 to 3 hrs can be in the centre of either Brussels or Paris.
Neither Ferry or even Plane can offer that facility and with the train you get so much more space than you do on the plane
Neither Ferry or even Plane can offer that facility and with the train you get so much more space than you do on the plane
Originally Posted by Dix:
“Yet people still managed to slip through. You'd need a wall of border guards to stop anyone. I remember when there wasn't a channel tunnel, and ships, planes were used to go abroad, with little bother about it.”
“Yet people still managed to slip through. You'd need a wall of border guards to stop anyone. I remember when there wasn't a channel tunnel, and ships, planes were used to go abroad, with little bother about it.”
People and goods have always managed to slip through, long before the Channel Tunnel was built. There is just more of it these days.
Originally Posted by Dragonlady 25:
“ There are tunnels under the sea all over the world. Why is this one so special?? ”
“
There are tunnels under the sea all over the world. Why is this one so special?? ”
Well, for one thing, it is currently the longest underwater tunnel, other than the Seikan Tunnel. However, the underwater portion of the CT is longer than the Seikan.
See also Gotthard Base Tunnel, which is the longest traffic tunnel in the world.
Originally Posted by Tourista:
“Odd idea as you do realise OP that the trucks go back with goods too? Also, passports can be checked as well as they are at airports or ports so your reasoning falls a little flat.”
“Odd idea as you do realise OP that the trucks go back with goods too? Also, passports can be checked as well as they are at airports or ports so your reasoning falls a little flat.”
I don't think that he's thought this through, has he?
For his next trick, he'll advocate blowing up the Severn Bridge, meaning all traffic from the south, London, Reading, etc. will have to go through Gloucester or Hereford to Brecon or Abergavenny, to get into Wales, a classic.
Originally Posted by razorback Tony:
“I don't think that he's thought this through, has he?
For his next trick, he'll advocate blowing up the Severn Bridge, meaning all traffic from the south, London, Reading, etc. will have to go through Gloucester or Hereford to Brecon or Abergavenny, to get into Wales, a classic.”
“I don't think that he's thought this through, has he?
For his next trick, he'll advocate blowing up the Severn Bridge, meaning all traffic from the south, London, Reading, etc. will have to go through Gloucester or Hereford to Brecon or Abergavenny, to get into Wales, a classic.”
Well you can go the long way round if you want, I'll use the Second Severn Crossing, as usual.
Originally Posted by noise747:
“It should never have been built in the first place.”
“It should never have been built in the first place.”
Can you give a sound reason why it should never have been built?
Yes. Yes it should.
But we should also ban flights and ships from entering our sovereign territory - that way, we can control immigration properly.
But we should also ban flights and ships from entering our sovereign territory - that way, we can control immigration properly.
Originally Posted by lemoncurd:
“Yes. Yes it should.
But we should also ban flights and ships from entering our sovereign territory - that way, we can control immigration properly.”
“Yes. Yes it should.
But we should also ban flights and ships from entering our sovereign territory - that way, we can control immigration properly.”
Yes, get that drawbridge up quick sharpish.
Originally Posted by Laurel1ne:
“The tunnel is just wonderful in that you can get on a train in the centre of London and in 2 to 3 hrs can be in the centre of either Brussels or Paris.
Neither Ferry or even Plane can offer that facility and with the train you get so much more space than you do on the plane”
“The tunnel is just wonderful in that you can get on a train in the centre of London and in 2 to 3 hrs can be in the centre of either Brussels or Paris.
Neither Ferry or even Plane can offer that facility and with the train you get so much more space than you do on the plane”
And anything that avoids a trip through CDG is a big +1
But these days I can leave London at 7am be in my client's offices at 10:30 (CET) and be back on the train 15h30 (CET) and back in London for 4:30pm without the hassle of Heathrow/City Airport and CDG
Originally Posted by RobinOfLoxley:
“Well you can go the long way round if you want, I'll use the Second Severn Crossing, as usual.”
“Well you can go the long way round if you want, I'll use the Second Severn Crossing, as usual.”
Robin, I have not heard of this Second Severn Crossing, I just vaguely remember as a kid, maybe 6 or 7, going through Chepstow in my uncle's Bedford Dormobile, on our way to Carmarthen to see the woman that my uncle eventually married.
I always remember the sign that told you you were in Wales, Croeso Y Cymru, which my uncle said meant, "Welcome to Wales."
When I went there in the early eighties, I crossed the Severn Suspension Bridge, which looked remarkably like that Second Severn Crossing you spoke of, when I googled it.
The Severn Suspension Bridge was the one that I meant, when I suggested that the OP might wish to blow it up.
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