CHANNEL TUNNEL SCHEME.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 January 1929, Page 5

CHANNEL TUNNEL SCHEME.

POPULAR IMAGINATION CAUGHT. SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT. United Press Association —By Electric Telegrapa Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) LONDON, Jam. 12. The Channel tunnel scheme hais become such of live and popular subject tliait it would not he surprising if sometMn'o' more definite is not heard oft it when the House of. Commons meaSThe idea, of oatehing a tons in Piccadi'Uy Circus aind alighting' la Paix has captured the popular imagination; likewise entraining at London direct for Berlin or anywhere else on the Continent. The scheme was originally dropped, although there was a mil© or two of tunnel on each side, because of absurd fears of waT. ~ I the course of a speech at N ewcastle to-day Viscount Cecil said he 'wholeheartedly supported the scheme. The advantages would be tremendous and the disadvantages remote and fantastic. He coukl conceive nothing less likely than a sudden, unforeseen attack from. France. The dangers 1 that would threaten England in the event of war would bo am. air attack aind starvation, no! tiheir of ’which womlcl ho incxco&cidJ iby the tunnel. Ho added that England must abolish war from her mind; -Once convince the people' they were safe and they would be safe. I Scores of influential people are urg- i img that the scheme be taken up immediately. It is estimated the tunnel would be completed in live years. A remarkable development of the idea was advanced to-day by Professor A. E. Richardson, a distinguished architect. He proposed two double tunnels, or four tunnels in all, the two outside for roadways and those inside for railways. This would give a 1 great outlet for England’s traffic. In rain aind snowstorm the 32 miles of tunnel would always be avail able. Further, four tunnels would be more easily constructed j thata two. A Londoner could motor from his home to. the Continent at the} week-end with* the same ease that he j at present tours England. |