Breakthrough

by Derek Wilson

Published 24 January 1991
Starting with a brief account of the history of previous attempts to build a fixed cross-Channel link, this is the story of the building of the Channel Tunnel. The political, financial and technical challenges are explored and the author explains how the solution of three linked tunnels built with the aid of laser technology and massive boring machinery was arrived at. He talked to many involved with the Tunnel from men at the workface to those in the boardrooms and gives a description of what life is like in the Tunnel. It also covers the measures taken to minimize disturbance of the Tunnel in a new phase of Europe's story with its impact on transport, increased benefits for leisure travel and commercial, financial and trading opportunities opened up by the single Internal Market from 1992.