| − | The '''Channel Tunnel''' (colloquially known as the "'''Chunnel'''") is a [[railway]] tunnel connecting the [[United Kingdom]] with [[France]] beneath the [[English Channel]]. It is 31.35 miles (50.45 km) in length (of which 23 miles or 37 km is under water<ref>http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/eurostar/channel_tunnel.htm</ref>), and extends from Cheriton, near [[Folkestone]], [[Kent]], UK, to Sangatte, Pas de Calais, France. The [[tunnel]] cost £9 billion to build and consists of two parallel single-track railway tunnels with a smaller-diameter service tunnel between<ref>http://www.channeltunnel.co.uk/</ref>. The tunnel is managed by Eurotunnel<ref>http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcp3main</ref>, which operates a shuttle-service carrying cars and trucks between terminals at each end. In addition, high-speed railway services between [[London]] and [[Paris]] and between London and [[Brussels]] run through the tunnel. These are operated by the railway company Eurostar. | + | The '''Channel Tunnel''' (colloquially known as the "'''Chunnel'''") is a [[railway]] tunnel connecting the [[United Kingdom]] with [[France]] beneath the [[English Channel]]. It is 31.35 miles (50.45 km) in length (of which 23 miles or 37 km is under water<ref>http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/eurostar/channel_tunnel.htm</ref>), and extends from Cheriton, near [[Folkestone]], [[Kent]], UK, to Sangatte, Pas de Calais, France. The [[tunnel]] cost £9 billion to build and consists of two parallel single-track railway tunnels with a smaller-diameter service tunnel between.<ref>http://www.channeltunnel.co.uk/</ref> The tunnel is managed by Eurotunnel,<ref>http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcp3main</ref> which operates a shuttle-service carrying cars and trucks between terminals at each end. In addition, high-speed railway services between [[London]] and [[Paris]] and between London and [[Brussels]] run through the tunnel. These are operated by the railway company Eurostar. |
| − | Napoleon first suggested the building of a road tunnel between England and France in 1802, in a brief moment of peace between the two countries<ref>http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/background/tunnel.htm</ref>. | + | Napoleon first suggested the building of a road tunnel between England and France in 1802, in a brief moment of peace between the two countries.<ref>http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/background/tunnel.htm</ref> |