Tunnel opens today - and then closes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The channel tunnel will be officially opened today - and already there are fears that it will be unable to cope with demand from rail passengers.
The tunnel will close immediately after today's inauguration, by the Queen and President Francois Mitterrand, as it is not ready to take commercial traffic. Baroness Thatcher, who signed the original agreement to build the tunnel, will attend the opening. About 100 vintage cars will be taken through tomorrow as part of the celebrations but it will be at least 17 May before the first commercial traffic, shuttle freight trains between Folkestone and Calais, starts.
There are already worries that the tunnel will not achieve its full potential because of the failure of the British government to provide a high-speed rail link between London and Folkestone. The lack of capacity is likely to mean fares rising in order to reduce demand - and some would-be passengers opting for air travel.
It is expected that the Eurostar trains, which will get from London's Waterloo station to Paris in three hours and to Brussels in 15 minutes more, will become an instant success while the shuttle services between Folkestone and Calais run by Eurotunnel will lose to ferry competition.
Special report, pages 13-16
Letter, page 17
View from City Road, page 33
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments