Chunnel's bonus
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
CUSTOMS procedures will be revolutionised by the construction of a fixed Channel link, Freight Transport Association director-general Garry Turvey said last week.
Chairing a press conference after a meeting with the three fixed link contenders, •Turvey said: "The FTA thinks that the Government is intending to make the Customs formalities only at the point of entry."
'This would mean that lorry drivers using the chosen design of fixed link would only have to go through the customs procedures when they wished to cross the link — not at the other end too.
Such fundamental changes would require changes in legislation when the fixed link. scheme goes through Parliament around next Faster, Turvey said.
Any changes would probably be extended to cover the ferries on the Channel crossing — and possibly to ferry routes to Europe from all of Britain's ports.
FTA will also try to influence Government decision on driver facilities, breakdown facilities and how to cope with dangerous loads.
To do this, the ETA's commerical committee has set up a special working group — made up of an own-account operators, a road haulage user, a rail user and a freight forwarder — to find out the needs of potential freight users of a fixed link.
It will make its views known to the Government and the chosen fixed link contender.
But Turvey complained that the day's meeting with the contenders left most freight questions still unanswered. There was the whole question of dangerous loads. And he added: "We are no nearer knowing how much it will cost than when we arrived." This was particularly disturbing because the winning contender will depend on freight for its growth.
Ile also warned that freight interests could be left behind because of the political will to "helter-skelterthe whole operation through.
• The fixed link contenders present at the 'meeting were:
• Euro Route. It wants a drive through combination of bridges and tunnels to create a road and rail link.
• Eurobridge. It is submitting plans for a 12-lane enclosed bridge with a single rail tunnel.
• The Channel Tunnel Group. Its idea is for a rollan roll-off twin rail tunnel.