Channel Tunnel Overview

Since the 1960s, the governments of the UK and France have been envisioning a direct link between the two countries, whether by bridge or tunnel across the English Channel. In 1986, this vision became a reality when Margaret Thatcher and François Mitterrand announced that the Channel Tunnel Group and France-Manche were winners for the bid to build a tunnel under the Channel to connect the two countries.

In 1994, the Channel Tunnel, or 'chunnel', a 50km long undersea tunnel was completed. Eurotunnel manages the infrastructure of the Tunnel and operates accompanied truck shuttle and passenger shuttle (both car and coach) services between Folkestone in the UK and Coquelles in France.

The transport system is actually made up of three tunnels: two tunnels through which shuttles travel and a central service tunnel. The tunnels lie approximately 40 metres below the seabed and the 39km undersea section makes it the longest undersea tunnel in the world. Cross-passages connect the rail tunnels to the service tunnel - the only one of its kind in the world - every 375 metres, providing access for safety and maintenance purposes. The service tunnel also acts as a 'safe haven' maintained at a higher air pressure and thus will remain free from smoke and fumes, in case of an emergency.

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Since opening, 57 million people have travelled through the Channel Tunnel. Eurotunnel shuttle locomotives are the most powerful locomotives in the world, generating up to 7MW (7,500hp), hauling trains of up to 2,400 tonnes, at speeds of up to 90mph (140 kph). The trains are protected by ATP (Automatic Train Protection), which brings the shuttle to a controlled stop, in the event of driver error.

Eurotunnel is now the market leader for cross-Channel travel and transports over 6.6 million passengers (on Eurostar), 2.3 million cars, 1.3 million trucks, 70,000 coaches and 1.5 million tonnes of freight annually. It is also the market leader for pet travel, with over 34,000 dogs and cats having crossed the Channel, since Eurotunnel began its Pet Travel Scheme in 2000.

There are several sources of income for Eurotunnel. Firstly, from its own passenger shuttle and truck shuttle services. Secondly, toll income from other train operators, which use the Tunnel, such as Eurostar for rail passengers and EWS and SNCF for freight rail. Eurotunnel's operating revenue for 2003 was £566 million, 41 per cent of which was derived from the railway business and 55 per cent from its shuttle services. The company is quoted on the London, Paris and Brussels stock exchanges.