The first stage of the UK’s high-speed Channel tunnel rail link has opened to normal passenger traffic.
Eurostar Group admitted officials had been optimistic in their passenger forecasts when they originally made a business case for the Channel tunnel without direct public subsidy.
The project was agreed to on condition there was no direct state subsidy.
The £10bn scheme would have been shelved if passenger and freight traffic revenue forecasts had been realistic, those involved in building the tunnel believe.
References: Financial Times 29/09/03 page 2
