Since 1994, nearly 25 years ago, millions of Brits have been driving their cars onto Eurotunnel’s shuttle trains at Folkestone in Kent, and then being whisked at 140km/h under the sea through its huge tunnels to Coquelles in Northern France.
The Channel Tunnel is the longest undersea tunnel in the world, but the journey platform to platform takes just 35 minutes.
In this period Eurotunnel has carried 54 million cars, over two million pets (dogs and cats) and 26 million trucks.
It offers a fixed link to Europe, and thousands of parcels, fresh food, flowers and vehicles travel through the tunnel each day. Have you ever thought how far your dinner has travelled to get to you? It might just have passed through the Channel Tunnel from Europe or beyond…
Curriculum links
History One of the earliest attempts to tunnel under the English Channel started in 1880! It was aborted because of concerns about invasion by the French.
Geography 4.9 million cubic metres of chalk marl excavated from the tunnels were used to create a Nature Reserve, increasing the size of the UK by 90 acres.
Engineering One of the 20th century’s greatest feats of engineering, the Channel Tunnel is considered to be amongst the seven wonders of the modern world.
Tunnel trivia
- Each shuttle train is 775 metres long – that’s the length of eight football pitches.
- For Valentine’s Day each year around 26 million red roses are delivered through the tunnel to the UK.
- The original shaft drilled in Coquelles, Calais had an internal diameter of 55 metres and a depth of 65 metres. It was large enough to contain the Arc de Triomphe.
Find more amazing facts at eurotunnel.com/facts and download your copy. Print and display it in your classroom so everyone can learn a bit more about this fascinating company.
For more information call 0844 335 8446, email coachsales@eurotunnel.com or visit eurotunnel.com.
