Tusker Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Tusker Tunnel is an idea for an Irish Sea
tunnel project aimed at linking the ports of Rosslare
and Fishguard
located in Ireland
and Wales
respectively. The idea was first mentioned by the Institute of Engineers of Ireland in 2004. The tunnel, if completed, would be 80 km (50 mi) long and would cost an estimated €20 billion.
to Great Britain
was in 1895 when a British
application of £15,000 was put forward to carry out borings in the North Channel
and surrounding areas to determine whether a tunnel between Great Britain
and Ireland
was possible. This was considered to be a unionist move to physically link Northern Ireland to Britain.
The building of such a tunnel was called for sixty years later by Harford Hyde
, Unionist
MP for Belfast
.
The economies of Ireland and Great Britain have always been closely linked and in 1973 both countries joined the European Union
which brought their economies closer to those of the rest of Europe
. The Channel Tunnel
was opened in 1994 between Britain
and France
. The many challenges of constructing such a tunnel were overcome although the tunnel was delivered a year late and £2bn ($3.6bn) overbudget.
An Irish Sea
tunnel project has been discussed several times in Dáil Éireann
, but never in Westminster
.
and Fishguard
. This has a primary objective of creating a new container port in the Shannon Estuary
and a linked freight line to Britain
and Mainland Europe.
Also included in the report are ideas for an LGV between Dublin, Cork
and Belfast
.
London
- Dublin and London
- Belfast
routes would be possible although routes from Birmingham
, North West England , Leeds
Newcastle upon Tyne
and Scotland
to Dublin or Belfast
would more than likely not be able to compete with air traffic.
In England
, plans to duplicate the Great Western Main Line
have been proposed. This however is likely to be less of a priority than one running between London, Birmingham and the North West duplicating the WCML. Congestion through the Severn Tunnel is already so great that much freight from the Welsh ports has a circuitous route via Gloucester; the increased traffic generated by an Irish Sea Tunnel would demand a new crossing of the Severn Estuary.
linking Great Britain
to France
. The Channel Tunnel carries three types of trains; Eurostar
passenger services, Eurotunnel Shuttle
vehicle carrying services and freight trains which are mostly container trains. The Channel Tunnel is standard gauge electrified to a standard voltage (25 kV, 50 Hz AC). It is built to a large loading gauge
and has double track with twin bores plus a service tunnel.
s (crossing loops) can be used.
and the 5'3" Irish gauge
Standard gauge would more than likely be used as it is the European standard. This is an issue especially for freight trains. For passenger trains the passengers would probably change trains in Dublin or Belfast anyway (whichever is closest to the tunnel) as at the French-Spanish border. For freight trains this would have to be overcome by building new standard gauge lines in Ireland, regauging existing lines to standard gauge or dual gauge, the use of variable gauge axles, or a combination of these. Variable gauge axles are expensive, and only be economical as an alternative to regauging/building long sections of track.
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
tunnel project aimed at linking the ports of Rosslare
Rosslare Europort
Rosslare Europort is a modern seaport located at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford, Ireland, near the southeastern-most point of Ireland's coastline, handling passenger and freight ferries to and from Wales and France....
and Fishguard
Fishguard
Fishguard is a coastal town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, with a population of 3,300 . The community of Fishguard and Goodwick had a population of 5043 at the 2001 census....
located in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
respectively. The idea was first mentioned by the Institute of Engineers of Ireland in 2004. The tunnel, if completed, would be 80 km (50 mi) long and would cost an estimated €20 billion.
History
The first discussion of linking IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
was in 1895 when a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
application of £15,000 was put forward to carry out borings in the North Channel
North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)
The North Channel is the strait which separates eastern Northern Ireland from southwestern Scotland...
and surrounding areas to determine whether a tunnel between Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
was possible. This was considered to be a unionist move to physically link Northern Ireland to Britain.
The building of such a tunnel was called for sixty years later by Harford Hyde
Harford Hyde
Harford Montgomery Hyde , born in Belfast, was a barrister, politician , author and biographer, who lost his seat in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom as a result of campaigning for homosexual law reform.-Background:Born on 14 August 1907, on the Malone Road in Belfast, Hyde was schooled...
, Unionist
Ulster Unionist Party
The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
MP for Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
The economies of Ireland and Great Britain have always been closely linked and in 1973 both countries joined the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
which brought their economies closer to those of the rest of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is a undersea rail tunnel linking Folkestone, Kent in the United Kingdom with Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais near Calais in northern France beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover. At its lowest point, it is deep...
was opened in 1994 between Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The many challenges of constructing such a tunnel were overcome although the tunnel was delivered a year late and £2bn ($3.6bn) overbudget.
An Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
tunnel project has been discussed several times in Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
, but never in Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
.
Route
The Institute of Engineers of Ireland's "Vision of Transport in Ireland in 2050" highlights for a tunnel to be built between the ports of RosslareRosslare Europort
Rosslare Europort is a modern seaport located at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford, Ireland, near the southeastern-most point of Ireland's coastline, handling passenger and freight ferries to and from Wales and France....
and Fishguard
Fishguard
Fishguard is a coastal town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, with a population of 3,300 . The community of Fishguard and Goodwick had a population of 5043 at the 2001 census....
. This has a primary objective of creating a new container port in the Shannon Estuary
Shannon Estuary
The Shannon Estuary is a large estuary where the River Shannon flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary has Limerick at its head and its seaward limits are marked by Loop Head to the north and Kerry Head to the south...
and a linked freight line to Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and Mainland Europe.
Also included in the report are ideas for an LGV between Dublin, Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
- Dublin and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
- Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
routes would be possible although routes from Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, North West England , Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
to Dublin or Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
would more than likely not be able to compete with air traffic.
In England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, plans to duplicate the Great Western Main Line
Great Western Main Line
The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great...
have been proposed. This however is likely to be less of a priority than one running between London, Birmingham and the North West duplicating the WCML. Congestion through the Severn Tunnel is already so great that much freight from the Welsh ports has a circuitous route via Gloucester; the increased traffic generated by an Irish Sea Tunnel would demand a new crossing of the Severn Estuary.
Technical issues
The tunnel would be similar to the Channel TunnelChannel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is a undersea rail tunnel linking Folkestone, Kent in the United Kingdom with Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais near Calais in northern France beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover. At its lowest point, it is deep...
linking Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The Channel Tunnel carries three types of trains; Eurostar
Eurostar
Eurostar is a high-speed railway service connecting London with Paris and Brussels. All its trains traverse the Channel Tunnel between England and France, owned and operated separately by Eurotunnel....
passenger services, Eurotunnel Shuttle
Eurotunnel Shuttle
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is a shuttle service between Calais/Coquelles in France and Folkestone in Britain. It conveys road vehicles by rail through the Channel Tunnel...
vehicle carrying services and freight trains which are mostly container trains. The Channel Tunnel is standard gauge electrified to a standard voltage (25 kV, 50 Hz AC). It is built to a large loading gauge
Loading gauge
A loading gauge defines the maximum height and width for railway vehicles and their loads to ensure safe passage through bridges, tunnels and other structures...
and has double track with twin bores plus a service tunnel.
Track sharing difficulties
High speed trains and freight trains can share the same tracks but this is far from ideal. The maximum number of crossings in the tunnel would be achieved with all trains travelling at the same speed, but freight trains travel at lower speeds than high speed passenger services. This is a smaller problem if the line is lightly used but if not, passing loopPassing loop
A passing loop is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at a station, where trains or trams in opposing directions can pass each other. Trains/trams in the same direction can also overtake, providing that the signalling arrangement allows it...
s (crossing loops) can be used.
Curves/Gradients
High speed trains require the railway to be straight, but since trains are light and regenerative braking can be used, gradients are not a problem. Conversely, heavier freight lines need shallow gradients but curves can be used to reduce the grade without significantly slowing the trains. Therefore a high speed line and a freight line may require different routes. Frequently this has been done by building a new high speed line and using the "classic line" usually built during the Victorian era with grade-loathing steam traction in mind for freight trains. However using the classic route, all or in part, may not be desirable on environmental grounds relating to pollution (noise, visual, etc.). And if the classic route was used, parts may have to be rebuilt to a larger loading gauge to accommodate continental-sized trains.Electrification
To prevent the buildup of exhaust gases, the railway inside the tunnel must be electrified. This means that barring a change of traction, routes leading to the tunnel must also be electrified. However, most lines in Britain and Ireland are not electrified. Some lines might be electrified however due to the ever-increasing price of oil and environmental concerns. Alternatively, hybrid technology trains capable of running off both electric and diesel power may be developed.Break of gauge
One of the major issues for an Irish Sea Tunnel would be the break of gauge between the 4'8½" standard gaugeStandard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
and the 5'3" Irish gauge
Irish gauge
Irish gauge railways use a track gauge of . It is used in* Ireland * Australia where it is also known as Victorian Broad Gauge* Brazil where it is also known as Bitola larga no Brasil....
Standard gauge would more than likely be used as it is the European standard. This is an issue especially for freight trains. For passenger trains the passengers would probably change trains in Dublin or Belfast anyway (whichever is closest to the tunnel) as at the French-Spanish border. For freight trains this would have to be overcome by building new standard gauge lines in Ireland, regauging existing lines to standard gauge or dual gauge, the use of variable gauge axles, or a combination of these. Variable gauge axles are expensive, and only be economical as an alternative to regauging/building long sections of track.