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Pressure for Channel Link Decision
Page 52
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FROM OUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
THE Anglo-French group of experts studying the possibilities of a new Channel crossing will, it is expected, be reporting to their respective Transport Ministers in the next few weeks. Their deliberations should provide both Mr. Marplcs and M. Huron with enough clearcut evidence to make a joint decision about whether a new crossing is desirable, and whether it should be a tunnel or bridge.
As The Commercial Motor reported recently, the evidence seems to be piling up in favour of a tunnel, but it would be wrong to assume that Mr. Marples has already told the Cabinet that one should be built.
He will need to reach agreement with M. Buron before a clear-cut plan can be evolved and then, of course, both Governments will have to take the final decision.
This may prevent an announcement being made to the Commons before the summer recess. Meanwhile the B.T.C. have now made a strong bid for a railway tunnel. They state in their annual report that the need for a decision is becoming very urgent, as they will be faced with planning an extension of their shipping and packet port facilities if the new crossing is not to be.
An expert investigation has shown Dr. Beeching that, with modern techniques, a two-track tunnel electric railway could be loaded and unloaded with accompanied cars, coaches and lorries as quickly as road vehicles could make the journey under their own power.
Calling for a decision as soon as possible, the Commission say that very practical decisions must be made now to cope with the considerable increase in the movement of passengers, freight and accompanied cars between Britain and the Continent which is bound to take place whether we enter the Common Market or not.