About 10% of trucks travelling through the Channel Tunnel could
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be X-rayed before they leave for the Continent if safety plans are realised later this year.
f a Eurotunnel official takes a dislike to a truck driver entering either the French or British side of the Channel Tunnel their trip could be delayed while their truck is taken for a hi-tech search.
Here it will be X-rayed: the whole process should only take three minutes, although some trucks may be detained for further inspections and goods could be unloaded.
The X-ray tunnel, dubbed `Euroscan', has not been built yet but is expected to be 75 metres long with canopies at either end to shelter drivers. When drivers surrender their trucks to the bunker they will have to walk along a covered walkway to meet their trucks at the other end.
It is estimated that about 10% of trucks will have to pass through the tunnel. Checks will not be carried out on cars because the Channel Tunnel safety unit, set up by the inter-governmental commission which overseas safety, are assuming that terrorists will use trucks more than cars.
The commission has insisted that the X-ray building be built; it will cost Eurotunnel about £.30m.
The building's technology is being supplied by US company Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) This is not the first time that the commission has put its foot down to enforce standards. Last year it insisted that the Channel Tunnel shuttle trains should be completely enclosed instead of the semi-open, latticed design.
The scheme has already been criticised because it singles out road hauliers. Mike Billingham, national development manager at Owner Operators UK, says: "Clearly this is of concern to us. Do they suspect lorry drivers are drug smugglers? And what if they do not like the look of somebody's face?"
Although Billingham is not happy that lorry drivers have been "singled out" he does appreciate Eurotunnel's desire to tackle the terrorist threat: "I think we knew border crossings were not going to become a piece of cake in the European open market. Clearly they have gone overboard to demonstrate they can stop drugs, the IRA and rabies. But I do think enough explosive could be packed into a car to blow a hole in the tunnel."
David Mitchell, distribution co-ordinator at the Freight Transport Association, says: "I have been told no decision has been made about this facility and many systems are under consideration. But it would take an hour and a half to process a shuttle load of heavy goods vehicles. It is costly but that's up to Eurotunnel. If they can afford it it's up to them. It would be wrong to expect drivers to pay more for security checks."
Road Haulage Association executive Mike Riches says: "It's part and parcel of the climate in which we live. It's regrettable, but if a haulier did not want to use the tunnel he could use the ferry instead." El by Mark Balcombe