its Chunnel plans
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Eurotunnel says it will not release price details until nearer 1993, and it will not give any details on unaccompanied trailers, except to say that it will be carrying them.
The Road Haulage Association would like to see such details released now: We would like to see some hard management information released, so that hauliers can chew them over now and start making commercial decisions on them," says the association.
The changes being demanded on freight and passenger Chunnel wagons include the fitting of wider fire doors These modifications are believed to cost up to £109m — adding more than 50% to the original cost for the shuttles and locomotives.
This expense will be born by Eurotunnel amid falling forecasts of 1993 Chunnel freight levels. Last year the predicted total was nine million tonnes; now it has been revised downwards to 8.5 million.
The cost of completing the project is also running 50% over target.
Latest forecasts for freight and passenger traffic revenue has dropped by 2.3%, but figures put forward by independent traffic and revenue consultants SETEC Economic and Wilbur Smith As sociates predict a 1,6% increase for 2003, rising by a further 6.5% boost by 2013. Eurotunnel is encouraged by the fact that traffic on the Dover to Calais route has increased.