After years of lobbying and the start of infraction proceedings by the European Commission against the UK and French Government, Eurotunnel has today announced reductions in access charges for rail freight services using the Channel Tunnel.
The changes, which take effect from June 2014, will see tolls for the ‘off peak’ period, when most traffic operates, reduce by 25% compared to 2013 levels, with no further increase until at least 2018. Eurotunnel’s ‘ETICA’ incentive scheme is also to be enhanced and extended such that new rail services will see an average overall discount of around 35-40%.
The commitment by Eurotunnel comes as a response to the infraction proceedings opened by the European Commission against France and the UK in 2013 for their failure to implement European rules on access to infrastructure in the Channel Tunnel.
This should see a significant increase in rail freight traffic, from the current seven trains per day compared with a forecast of 40 for when the Tunnel opened in 1995.
Further details:
1.Eurotunnel’s press release can be found at http://www.eurotunnelgroup.com/uploadedFiles/assets-uk/Media/Press-Releases/2014-Press-Releases/20140428-ETICA-Europe-UK.pdf
2. The European Commission’s press release can be found at http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-477_en.htm?locale=en
3. Rail Freight Group’s press release www.rfg.org.uk/news
Tony Berkeley is chairman of the Rail Freight Group