- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 29 January 1982 (27th Sitting) (see Doc. 4829, report of the Committee on Regional Planning and Local Authorities). Text adopted by the Assembly on 29 January 1982 (27th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
The Assembly,
1. Recalling the statement of its position as expressed in 1976 in
Resolution 610, on the Channel tunnel, and its Order No. 356, instructing its Committee on Regional Planning and Local Authorities to report on the developments in problems related to the construction of the Channel tunnel ;
2. Having taken note of the new report submitted to it by the said committee (
Doc. 4829) ;
3. Reiterating the main arguments in favour of a fixed link between the continent and the British Isles, as already set out in its
Resolution 610 ;
4. Noting, in particular, the political importance of such a fixed, permanent link for European unity and cohesion ;
5. Drawing attention to the importance of a fixed link as a fundamental unit in a coherent and balanced network of European trunk communications ;
6. Emphasising also the substantial economic and commercial benefits of such a link, not only for all the regions of north-west Europe but also for the whole of the European economic area ;
7. Supporting the arguments and conclusions of most of the expert studies on the subject, and expressing its preference for a tunnel rather than a bridge or a mixed solution ;
8. Considering, in particular, that the greater guarantees of safety for maritime shipping afforded by a tunnel and its lower construction cost are arguments which should sway the final choice in favour of a tunnel ;
9. Taking account, furthermore, of energy-saving considerations, and considering that preference should be given to rail transport at the present juncture,
10. Gives its support to the projects for a rail tunnel, though expressing reservations with regard to the minimum solution involving only a single-track tunnel, and favours a double-track tunnel, even if financial considerations mean that such a project must be carried out in two stages ;
11. Draws the attention of the French and British Governments, which are directly concerned, to the positive effects of such a project on the labour market over several years ;
12. Considers, moreover, that private funding would reduce the burden on the public exchequers of the two countries directly concerned, which are currently faced with problems of all kinds ;
13. Appeals to the governments of France and Great Britain to take a prompt decision in favour of constructing a Channel tunnel in accordance with the joint proposals put forward by the French and British railway companies ;
14. Requires both the French and British Governments to ensure that adequate arrangements exist to provide protection against international terrorism within the tunnel area and its approaches ;
15. Requires the two governments to take such action as will prevent the spread of rabies to the United Kingdom ;
16. Appeals also to the Council and Commission of the European Communities to contribute to the execution of the project, specifically by offering guarantees and additional financial assistance required for the construction of certain access and service infrastructures at both ends of the tunnel ;
17. Instructs its President to communicate this resolution to the governments of France and Great Britain and to the Presidents of the Council and Commission of the European Communities.
