Boris Johnson Suggests 'bridge' Between Uk And France

[mikey4444]

Has Boris been at the vino ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42743909

We can't even afford to fund the NHS and our prisons properly, so this new idea of his will probably join Boris Island in the Estuary, and the "Garden Bridge" over the Thames.

[youngmafbog]

It's not exactly his idea though is it?

Although i can see some benefits, personally I dont approve of a bridge or a 'car' tunnel. Calais would empty overnight - straight into Kent followed by a few million more.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't think the ships will be an issue. Taking an example from Tower Bridge, every time a ship comes along, the English half rises up our side, and the French half on their side. It also has the other advantage that if you just managed to pass over half way, you may get to the other side a bit quicker than anticipated.

[youngmafbog]

The other really big problem with long bridges is that they become suicide magnets. Imagine the chaos when it is closed while we look to see if the person jumped from the British or French sides so we knew which authority has jurisdiction.

A total non runner I'm afraid.

[Khandro]

It was first mooted by Napoleon who looked at the channel and said "Oh for a bridge". Macron has grandiose ideas to become a second Napoleon.

[emmie]

so to let the migrants wander across the bridge, can't believe he could be that dim,

[jno]

the easiest way to stop them is when they're walking, emmie

[emmie]

whats the shortest distance from UK to France, is it somewhere in the region of 22 miles, as to building a bridge in one of the busiest shipping lanes, the idea is absurd.

[youngmafbog]

I'm not sure it is absurd and technically I am sure we could do it.

But would we want to?

[emmie]

no we wouldn't..

[Mamyalynne]

Bad idea for the Gephyrophobics.

[mushroom25]

Eurotunnel were obliged (as a term of their concession) to submit proposals for a fixed drivable link to the respective governments, which they did in 2000.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jan/06/transport.uk
the link proposed would probably not be open to freight vehicles due to the perceived fire risk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30863024 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-11815174 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/2822117/Channel-Tunnel-fire-recalls-1996-incident.html
a tunnel of that length really will require diligence by its users - studies in Norway (which has 900 road tunnels) reveals issues with entrance zones, and that the consequence of any accident is heightened by the tunnel.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0886779800000249

[emmie]

had to look that up, it's a fear of crossing bridges, well i never.

[Celtigra3]

No doubt the Magic Money Tree can be given another stark for Boris's Folly

[gulliver1]

Bonkers Boris at it again.

[New Judge]

Such a bridge would need to be around 35 kilometres long (assuming it spanned the Channel at its narrowest point). There are fourteen bridges in the world longer than 35km. Seven are in China, two in the USA and one in Thailand. Five of them are road bridges, one a combined road and rail bridge and the rest rail bridges. The longest is 164km in length – almost five times the length of a bridge across the Channel would need to be. So the technology to build ultra-long bridges certainly exists.

However, the majority of these bridges are low-level affairs, more like glorified viaducts and some involve considerable lengths of causeway rather than true bridges. Neither of these designs would be suitable for the Channel. Furthermore, most of the bridges span lakes or lake systems. Those that span open water are usually bridge-tunnel constructions where the road or railway is taken beneath the water for lengthy stretches to allow navigation.

Whilst it may be possible to design an acceptable structure its vulnerability would be considerable and I don’t believe this idea will ever gain much support.

[mikey4444]

No need to panic !

Mrs May has slapped Boris down :::

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42743909

Amber Rudd was more forthright: "I think I'm safe saying that I am not a huge fan of this latest proposal."

So... it was all a mistake apparently....Boris spends the night in the outside kennel.

[Baldric]

Would the design incorporate sniper positions to deal with the pedestrians coming from France?

[mikey4444]

Baldric.... a few well placed trees should do it !

[Baldric]

We have already discussed the Garden Bridge Mikey, do keep up.

[naomi24]

Mikey, Mrs May hasn’t ‘slapped Boris down’, and it wasn’t a mistake. “Downing Street said he had been referring to a panel looking at Anglo-French major projects.” You’re a master of the dramatic, you really are - but not in a good way!