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New Roads Planned t o Serve Channel Link

14th February 1964
Page 61
Page 61, 14th February 1964 — New Roads Planned t o Serve Channel Link
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

From Our Political Correspondent

1-1. A FAST, direct transport link between Britain and the continent of Europe by the early 1970s. That is the logical outcome of the British and French Governments' agreement in principle to build a twin-rail Channel tunnel. British goods will go from our factories to Continental distributors within 24 hours and Dr. Beeching's liner .trains can have a clear run from Newcastle (or anywhere else) to Lyons, Frankfurt—or even Moscow—given the right agreements.

At first sight, the railways are going to come out best but it is obvious that the roads are going to share in the rapid advances to be made in intercontinental haulage if Mr. Marples has his way. He wants, by 1968, to begin a northsouth orbital road which will have direct connections to the Midlands, North and West and which will give access to the tunnel, avoiding London altogether. The Government sees the Channel link as a tremendous boost to trade with the Continent. As exports and imports are expected to double between the 1960s and 1980s. no one should lose.

Most important, the rights of users of the tunnel must be carefully thought out. So must the composition of the controlling body. Road interests will demand a place on this body, and should get it. Operating finances, too, must be carefully considered. Are there to be tolls? If so, is there to be the kind of complete freedom over charges that B.R. enjoys?

• Ministers now believe that the tendency for industry to want to congregate round the mouth of the tunnel can be controlled. They believe that better road and rail facilities will, with the tunnel itself, bring about such a reduction in transport costs to the Continent that industrialists will feel free to disperse even further northward.

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