Bold decision to build the Channel Tunnel

It took many years for the Channel Tunnel project to be financially sustainable. — Wikipedia

CONSTRUCTION of the undersea Channel Tunnel connecting the United Kingdom and France – also known as Chunnel – began in 1988, with the first tunnel opening on May 6, 1994. Critics, however, were quick to point out that it took many years for the project to become financially sustainable.

Envisaged to facilitate travel and trade between the two countries, it has come a long way since to become a vital link for both passenger and freight traffic, posting impressive figures following the lifting of restrictions imposed by Covid-19.

Eurostar now operates across five countries – the UK, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Germany – serving as a crucial link between the UK and continental Europe.

Since its inaugural journey on Nov 14, 1994, Eurostar has facilitated quick and easy travel for millions from city centre to city centre in Europe, with the number of passengers having multiplied sixfold, from three million in 1994/95 to 18.6 million in 2023, with more than 380 million passengers having travelled on Eurostar’s routes since 1994.

In January this year, Eurostar reported a 5% increase in passenger numbers in 2024 (19.5 million) compared with 2023.

“This record-breaking performance was driven by strong demand, particularly during the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games, highlighting Eurostar’s growing popularity as a sustainable and efficient travel option.

“Looking ahead, this is further proof of the huge demand for international rail and the great potential of sustainable travel,” says Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave in a statement, adding that the company is targeting growth to 30 million passengers and investing in up to 50 new trains as a direct result.

Concurring, Eurostar Group chairman Alain Krakovitch says in a statement on its website: "Once again, this year, Eurostar has demonstrated its ability to attract new customers, driven by an ever-present desire to travel by train, particularly internationally.

“With its many customer services, Eurostar proves that it is constantly thinking about how to meet their needs and offer ever more innovative and comfortable services and commercial offers.”