Roadshows planned to push France tunnel idea

A rail tunnel between Guernsey and France via Jersey would cost an estimated £5.6bn and take up to 10 years to build

A series of roadshows are being held to further explore linking the Channel Islands to France via an undersea tunnel.

The idea is being driven by local entrepreneur and former Guernsey Chamber of Commerce president Martyn Dorey.

Mr Dorey has taken inspiration from tunnels that link the Faroe Islands and believes a Channel Islands Tunnel would bring economic benefits.

Having spent the past five years on the idea, he said support for the project has now gathered.

Mr Dorey co-founded the Connect 3 Million campaign to build the sub-seabed link in 2019, and the group has been lobbying decision-makers and politicians since.

The Faroe Islands to the north of Scotland have a population of about 53,000 and spent hundreds of millions of pounds on a subsea tunnel network.

A rail tunnel between Guernsey and France via Jersey would cost an estimated £5.6bn and take up to 10 years to build, according to the campaign group.

'Transform the future'

Mr Dorey said making it easier for people to reach the Channel Islands would "transform the future for everyone".

"Our economies are strong but are being held back when we all need them to expand further.

"This innovation will herald a boom across financial services, tourism and beyond”.

The roadshows are being held on 5 March in Jersey and 6 March in Guernsey.

Speakers due to attend the roadshows include tunnelling experts Arild Sovik, network director of the Norwegian Tunnelling Society and Teitur Samuelsen, chief executive of the Faroe Islands’ public company.

Connect 3 Million said the speakers will share how the economic, social and cultural benefits the tunnels have brought to the Faroe Islands, can be replicated for the Channel Islands.