Building The Chunnel

Oct 30, 2023

Learn about the historic connection of the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France in this episode. Discover the controversies and concerns surrounding the tunnel construction, as well as the working conditions and cultural differences experienced by British and French workers. Explore the original scheme and early attempts to build the Channel Tunnel in the 1800s.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

The Final Breakthrough and Ceremonial Day

01:35 • 4min

Working Conditions and Cultural Differences in Chunnel Construction

05:57 • 3min

The Original Scheme and Early Attempts to Build the Channel Tunnel

08:30 • 4min

On 30 October, 1990, with little fanfare and without any cameras present, the first connection was made between the French half and the British half of the Channel Tunnel, when a two-inch metal probe broke through to link Great Britain with the European mainland for the first time in more than 8,000 years.

In the words of the British team, the hole was just big enough to give them “a whiff of garlic”. Final construction took another four more years, with the “Chunnel” officially opening for passenger service in May, 1994.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why not all Brits were enthusiastic about the project; describe the gifts the British and French sides presented one another with when the connection was made; and discuss why the original scheme to link the two countries included an artificial island in the middle where you would change horses...