Channel Tunnel anniversary 14/11/2013

Bon anniversaire au tunnel sous la Manche - happy birthday to the Channel Tunnel! Though it was officially opened by The Queen on 9th May 1994, passenger service didn't open until 14th November 1994, so let's celebrate the 19th anniversary of this tremendous feat of engineering with some fun facts:

  • 24 miles of the 31.35 mile long Channel Tunnel are underwater
  • The Channel Tunnel is actually three tunnels - two for the trains and a smaller one in the middle for a service tunnel
  • The train tunnels are 24 feet in diameter
  • In 2012 1,464,880 trucks, 2,424,342 cars, 58,966 coaches, 9,911,649 passengers and 2,325 rail freight trains travelled through the tunnels!
  • Rabies cannot travel through the tunnel - special design elements were added to ensure the UK - rabies-free since 1902 - could not get infected
  • If you type tunnel enough times it looks like a nonsense word!
  • The Tunnel Manche has its own Twitter account, but it's in French so je suis désolée mais je ne comprends pas

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “It’s hard to imagine life before the Channel Tunnel and it’s even harder to believe that 19 years have passed since it first opened. As the statistics show, motorists have clearly enjoyed the extra freedom of being able to take their vehicles to Europe without having to use a ferry.

“Anyone planning to use the tunnel this autumn or winter should make sure they are fully prepared for their European journey by taking out RAC European Breakdown cover so they are protected should some kind of unexpected roadside incident occur.” ​ 

Press office team

Press office team

For journalist enquiries only

Share

Latest News

Website preview
National Parking Platform to launch - RAC reaction
Platform allows drivers to choose to use one of six mobile parking payment apps, simplifying parking
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
‘Double dose of delays’ on the cards for drivers making 18m bank holiday trips
Motorists advised to travel later in the day as most journeys are planned between 5am and midday
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
Drivers support court-ordered ‘alcolocks’ to tackle drink-drive reoffending 
RAC encourages the Government to take a different approach to reduce drink-drive collisions
media.rac.co.uk

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About RAC Media Centre

The RAC Media Centre provides journalists and news outlets with the latest motoring-related news, comment, data and research.

The RAC is an iconic UK brand, and provides complete peace of mind to nearly 14 million UK private and business drivers - whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – and European breakdown assistance products, it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. Included in this is the first-of-its-kind nationwide Mobile Mechanics service which brings the garage to homes and workplaces. 

At the forefront of new solutions for business fleets and consumers, the RAC’s breakdown service is electric-ready with mobile EV charging technology and be called on using myRAC – its all-in-one route planner, fuel finder and breakdown reporting app