When the Channel Tunnel was completed in 1994, the labour of 15,000 workers who had been digging the tunnel since the mid-1980s was finished. So, for many people, was the idea of Great Britain as an island.
No longer would storms or fog in the Dover Straits stop travellers moving across the English Channel or La Manche (the sleeve, in French) between England and France. It was farewell to the White Cliffs of Dover over the passenger rail of the ferry signifying arrival or departure from the Channel ports.
‘Little Englanders’ were concerned that the security of the island might be compromised by a foreign army or a rabid animal, of which Britain has a particular fear, might creep through and infect UK animals or people. British people who loved the European lifestyle, on the other hand, looked forward to the greater ease of travel to and from the mainland.
Three services using the tunnel were quickly launched: Eurostar, the passenger service using 18 carriage state-of-the-art passenger trains costing £24 million; the Eurotunnel shuttle, trains carrying cars, buses and trucks through the tunnel; and UK-bound freight trains from French railway SNCF and various freight operators.
Changing Perspectives of Former Enemies
Eurostar, the high-speed passenger operation between London St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps, has celebrated 15 years of service, carrying over 100 million people in this time on the equivalent mileage of 338 trips to the moon.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary, managers released new research findings which they say reveal the impact that Eurostar has had on the UK’s relationship with mainland Europe (many people in the UK still differentiate themselves by referring to ‘the Continent’ or Europe). And it is a surprising and unexpected effect.
Some 97% of respondents believe that Eurostar has brought the UK closer to France and Belgium and 87% are of the view that British lives have been “significantly enriched by the social and cultural exchange that Eurostar provides”, says the company.
Over half the people surveyed said that the speed and easy access of Eurostar for day trips, short breaks and holidays had had a huge influence on their lives and demonstrated the success of high speed rail, while 89% of respondents said that if they were offered a job involving regular travel to “the continent, they would be more inclined to consider taking it today on account of the ease of the Eurostar service”.
Entente Cordiale Grows After 15 Years
Reflecting on the Anglo-French relationship, one in five (21.4%) said that the UK and France "are getting closer all the time" whilst around one in three (32.9%) said that after fifteen years of Eurostar, the British view of the French is less stereotypical.
One in five believes that "there is a mutual interest in our respective cultures" and over half describe the relationship as that of neighbours who are close “but maintain their own identity”.
Eurostar began operating rail services between London and Paris, Brussels and Lille on 14 November 1994. Since then, journey times have been slashed by a third with the journey between London and Paris now taking 2 hours 15 minutes and London to Brussels 1 hour 51 minutes.
Richard Brown, Eurostar’s Chief Executive, said: “There’s no doubt that Eurostar has transformed our relationship with the continent and enriched lives on both sides of the channel. When we launched in 1994 we could never have foreseen that fifteen years on London would be France’s sixth largest city and that people would be commuting between the UK and the continent.”
Lucky Party-goers Win Trips to Paris
In order to celebrate the 15th anniversary milestone, like any teenager, threw a party and invited hundreds of ‘friends’.
A multi-media advertising campaign in the South East of England as well as two London radio stations, culminated with “a spectacular event” at Searcy’s Champagne Bar at St Pancras International on Friday, 13 November – the eve of Eurostar’s birthday. Some 15 lucky pairs of winners had a surprise luxury weekend in Paris whilst the runners-up partied at the station for the rest of the night.
Eurostar’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Emma Harris, said at the time: “Superstitious? No way. Friday 13 November was simply incredible, the feedback we had was amazing and it was fascinating to hear people’s stories of the last 15 years.
“It was significant that many people also included their experience of Eurostar and how the service has affected people’s lives - some met, some went on honeymoon, some conducted relationships. We are very proud that we have grown up with a new generation of travellers.”
James Graham - I have been a professional journalist since the 1980s. I started on weekly newspapers in the English Midlands - working intially on one of ...
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