ot receptioi for Chunnel wagons
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• Eurotunnel's plans to use open-sided rail wagons to carry trucks in the Channel Tunnel represent a "serious" fire risk, warns a safety watchdog body.
The British Safety Council has accused the company of reversing an earlier decision to take EIGVs in fully enclosed carriages, saying that Eurotunnel took the decision in secret. If there are to be any changes then the pros and cons should by discussed in public and not behind closed doors," says BSC director-general James Tye in a letter to the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority, which is responsible for monitoring all tunnel safety.
Eurotunnel revealed prototypes for the lattice-style wagons in the autumn (CM 814 November 1990). The mock-ups, built in Italy, were said to be lighter than the enclosed car wagons in order to cater for 44-tonners.
Tye says that instead of compromising safety, there could be a ban on heavier trucks in the Chunnel. "We understand the reason for considering going back on this safety decision is because the extra weights on the (wagon) axles might make them dangerous — but surely the answer to extra weight is to reduce the load size and not shortcircuit the agreed fire safety system." Eurotunnel says the freight wagon designs still have to be approved by
the intergovernmental C ommission which was set up by the French and British governments and is advised by the safety authority. "The semiopen design means we can carry 44 tonnes, which we'll eventually go to.
"We're designing a system for the 21st century," says freight manager John Chapman. "Either you end up having a lasting system or you keep sending the wagons back to the factory for tweaking."
However, Chapman says that Eurotunnel simply asked contractor, TML, which is responsible for digging the tunnel, to come up with the final designs, which it and the safety authority would pass.
Eurotunnel's requirements for the freight-train wagons, says Chapman, were that they carry 28 trucks of 44 tonnes; travel between UK and French terminals in the requisite time; and conform to all safety rules. They must also have easy access for drivers and facilities such as plug-in points.
Tye says his letter, which has already been reported in the national press, is "highly embarrassing" to Eurotunnel.