News

Eurotunnel, which announced last month that it was slashing tariffs by almost half, is set to double the number of cross-Channel freight trains following news that EWS railways are to launch up to 50 weekly services in 2008.

EWS, one of only two cross-Channel freight operators, said its plans would offer customers an alternative to the UK's congested container ports and should remove 1,000 trucks a week from the country's busiest roads.

EWS plan to launch 35-50 weekly cross-Channel services during 2008, compared with just 25 services a week currently.

Volumes through the tunnel have been declining since 1998, when 3m tonnes of freight used it. Rail freight was hit by a crisis when asylum seekers regularly tried to board trains, and by Eurotunnel's high prices.

The Channel Tunnel operator is cutting average fees from £5,300 to £3,000 per freight train.