Eurotunnel accepts bomb ingredient
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• Eurotunnel is to continue to allow the carriage of ammonium nitrate—the fertiliser which has been used in some of the IRA's most powerful bombs.
The tunnel's hazardous goods policy has been left untouched following a five-month review into its safety procedures after last November's fire. Wagon design and hazardous goods— two of the most contentious issues—were not considered.
Explosives expert Dr Sidney Alford has long called for a ban on ammonium nitrate, which was used in the Baltic Exchange, Staples Corner and Canary Wharf bombs, as well as the Oklahoma City massacre in the United States.
"If ammonium nitrate had been carried when the fire started the Channel Tunnel would no longer exist." says Alford, who argues that the fertiliser would be the explosive of choice for an attack on the tunnel.
Eurotunnel says it follows the ADR regulations, which permit carriage of ammonium nitrate, but admits that it has not carried out any independent assessment of the dangers.
Eurotunnel safety condemned by fire union, page 11.