1,800 Vehicles Hourly to France
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MEANS by which the proposed Channel Tunnel could bc operated were described to the Institute of Transport in London on Monday by Mr. M. A. Cameron, principal officer (administration) of the British Transport Commission. He envisaged fast electric trains shuttling between Britain and France at 70-80 m.p.h. carrying up to 1,800 road vehicles an hour.
Geological tests had shown that physical prospects for the tunnel were favourable. When the question of how much traffic would use the tunnel was studied, a point which emerged at once was the tremendous growth in the number of accompanied vehicles which was likely. It was therefore important to cater liberally for it.
However, although the natural facility for road traffic was a road, it was more practical to consider a railway for the tunnel. A road would present ventilation problems and fire risks, whilst to drive through a tunnel for some 30 miles would be excessively tedious.
Experience with the St. Gotthard and Simplon Tunnels had shown how easy it was to carry vehicles on trains which were, in effect, continuous platforms. A train load of 90 vehicles could be unloaded in five minutes. Swiss Railways used open trains, which were satisfactory at low speeds, but covered trains would be required in the case of the Channel Tunnel.
This was because wind pressures at the speed involved would be high, and doors terminal, pass through Customs and immigration control, pay a toll arid drive on to the train.
Low loading rail wagons could accommodate laden lorries up to 12 ft. 6 in. high. Coaches could be carried on single-deck wagons. In the future, double-deck wagons capable of carrying 300 vehicles in a train could be operated because the dimensions of the Tunnel would allow them. Six double-deck trains could be run every hour.
Ordinary trains could also be carried through the Tunnel. Mr. Cameron stated that fast through services which would be made possible would " encourage the rail conveyance of long-distance traffic which today often adds unnecessarily to the congestion on roads."