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    TWD - I can shed some light on this if anyone is remotely interested in the role of our beloved Tunnel.

    ET took the decision over 15 years ago now that re-investment in the tourist shuttles was not a good idea. The constraints of the original design and tunnel safety specifications meant that the tourist shuttles were like "Boeing 747s on wheels", to quote a then board member. Additionally, millions had just been invested in new, simpler freight shuttles. The freight market was booming, the single market was really beginning to have a profound effect on EU economies, duty free had disappeared and everyone was convinced that, if needs be, you could fill the whole tunnel capacity up with freight.

    However original Channel Tunnel Agreement states that tourist traffic must be accommodated. So they will continue to do and if that means reduced capacity and problems at peak times, then that's just a bitter pill which the company has to swallow.

    If I had to travel on one of those rare days when tourist traffic exceeds capacity across the market (Maundy Thursday , first days of the summer hols etc), then I'd definitely opt for a ferry out of Dover on an advanced booking.

    Whether things change much post Brexit remains to be seen.

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