Author Topic: Travel from the UK to Africa Via spain (Read 234 times)

Krusher · « **on:** January 25, 2005, 07:32:49 AM »

How interesting is this, I think the very idea is bold.

A plan to build a tunnel between Spain and Morocco, establishing the first fixed link between Europe and Africa, has come a step closer after talks between the two countries.
The Spanish development minister, Magdalena Alvarez, met her Moroccan counterpart, Karim Chellab, in Tangier last week as part of a visit by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain to push forward plans for a 24-mile rail tunnel running beneath the Strait of Gibraltar.

The idea was first mooted in the 1970s and an initial agreement was signed in 1980. But a combination of political, financial and technical obstacles has prevented it becoming a reality.

Chortle · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2005, 07:51:31 AM »

The Eurotunnel between UK and France is barely able to service it's huge loans its needed to stay 'afloat' this long.

If the Spain/Morocco link goes ahead it will be interesting to compare, I've a nagging suspicion that rail infrastructure in Morocco is probably 50 years ahead of ours in the UK.

Saintaw · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2005, 08:20:26 AM »

Great idea! They won't have to cross on little boats anymore... they'll be able to drive in all the way!

More illegals! YAY!!!!

*mumbles* what other 'great idea' are they going to come up with next?

Krusher · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2005, 09:51:14 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saintaw
Great idea! They won't have to cross on little boats anymore... they'll be able to drive in all the way!

More illegals! YAY!!!!

*mumbles* what other 'great idea' are they going to come up with next?

Well I was just thinking about the engineering and logistics of the project.

Hey you could think of it this way, a tunnel saves on airfare when you send them back.

Bodhi · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2005, 09:56:44 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saintaw
Great idea! They won't have to cross on little boats anymore... they'll be able to drive in all the way!

More illegals! YAY!!!!

*mumbles* what other 'great idea' are they going to come up with next?

lol

Staga · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2005, 10:06:09 AM »

Bodhi why did you removed your comment? Maybe you realized that same thing happens at the border between Mexico and US ?

Staga · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2005, 10:10:07 AM »

Anyways I think it's easier to control a tunnel than few hundred kilometers of sea shore.

Furball · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2005, 01:53:19 PM »

i saw a program on tv, was about the proposed plan to do a super high speed Maglev (that right?) train that runs on magnets, in a suspended undersea tunnel between New York and London. Was pretty cool.

Apparently though the concrete required would take all of the worlds concrete plants working flat out for 2 years or something ridiculous to produce enough concrete for it.