FTA, RHA lay down fixed link demands
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OPERATORS will only ,gain from a fixed Channel link if there are ''absolute minimum" delays at the terminals, the Freight Transport Association has told the British and French governments.
Terminal facilities and Customs procedures In U St be planned with the need of operators to escape lengthy delays, it stresses in its submission to the inter-governmental assessment team for the link. "Only if this is achieved can the time taken to actually cross the link have any significance," it says.
But it does admit that one advantage of a fixed link could be the avoidance of the bunching which currently occurs when ships offload.
It is also essential that the fixed link is accompanied by adequate road transport facilities, and good rest and refreshment facilities at the terminals, so that drivers can easily take their statutory breaks there, the FTA argues.
And it is willing to support a fixed link provided that it genuinely extends the crossChannel services offered to freight users. But it fears that "a contraction of ferry services is likely". But the extent of this contraction is difficult to assess, it concludes.
The FTA is also concerned that the political significance of the link might encourage public subsidy intervention in the event of its failing to attract sufficient traffic and revenue_