Ex post analysis of the regional impacts of major infrastructure: the Channel Tunnel 10 years on.

Looking at the wider context we see a number of tendencies which will limit the role
and impact of the Tunnel. We believe that cross-Channel traffic will grow slowly
because of the increasing convergence of prices, the perceived need to continue a high
level of precautions against illegal migration and terrorist activity, and minimal
growth in cross-Channel commuting. Expansion will therefore be dependent upon
major economic change in areas served by the Tunnel and CTRL: the only likely area
of growth seems to us to be Ebbsfleet and the Thames Gateway which will become a
major economic growth pole for South East England but with only a subsidiary role in
relation to Europe. We do not believe Ashford, Dover or Shepway will experience
major economic growth, though Ashford may continue to expand as a dormitory area
and local service centre.

In other words all the evidence from a period which might have seen major changes in
the Kent economy points to an essential continuance of the status quo: a major
transport infrastructure project does not necessarily change the economic fortunes of a
region.

References

Channel Tunnel Joint Consultative Committee (1987) Kent Impact Study: Overall
Assessment, London: HMSO

Fayman, S., P.Metge, K. Spiekermann, M .Wegener, T.Flowerdew and I.Williams
(1995) ‘The regional impact of the Channel Tunnel: qualitative and quantitative
analysis’ European Planning Studies, 3, 333-356

Flyvbjerg, B., N. Bruzelius and W. Rothengatter (2003) Megaprojects: An Anatomy of
Risk, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Holliday, I.M., G.Marcou and R.W.Vickerman (1991) The Chnanel Tunnel: public
Policy, Regional development and Euroepan Integration, London: Belhaven Press

Spiekermann, K and M.Wegener (1997) ‘The Channel Tunnel and regional
development: combining qualitative and quantitative methods’ in Quinet, E. and R.
Vickerman (eds) The Econometrics of Major Transport Infrastructures, London:
Macmillan

Vickerman, R.W. (1987) ‘The Channel Tunnel: consequences for regional growth and
development’, Regional Studies, 21, 187-197

Vickerman, R.W. (1994a) ‘Transport policy and the Channel Tunnel: UK, French and
European perspectives’, in Gibb, R. (ed.) The Channel Tunnel: a Geographcial
Perspective, Chichester: John Wiley

Vickerman, R.W. (1994b) ‘The Channel Tunnel and regional development in Europe:
an overview’, Applied Geography, 14, 9-25

24

<<   21   22   23   24  

More intriguing information