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BR steams into trucks

16th February 1989
Page 7
Page 7, 16th February 1989 — BR steams into trucks
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• British Rail is attempting to woo opponents of the controversial Channel Tunnel highspeed rail link by promising that it will take HGVs from Kent's main roads.

Full-page adverts tell readers of newspapers whose readers are likely to be affected by

the high-speed link that the Channel Tunnel will bring „more heavy goods vehicles thundering through your town" but claim that the high-speed link will stimulate a switch to rail freight away from overcrowded roads.

Playing on anti-lorry sentiments, BR's ad asks "What does Kent stand to gain?" above the picture of a large, dirt-encrusted artic (coincidentally, a left-hand-drive vehicle with foreign plates). It goes on to state: "It's worth considering that one freight train can carry the equivalent of some 50 lorry loads."

The high-speed rail link between the Channel Tunnel and London is intended primarily for passenger traffic, but BR obviously sees a market for freight traffic in off-peak hours, and is fighting hard to counteract intense local campaigns against the link.