Letter: Tunnel not the worst risk

Bob Willis
Friday 22 November 1996 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: The recent accident in the Channel Tunnel ("Darkness at the end of the tunnel", 20 November) raises questions of safety not only in the tunnel but also on cross-Channel ferries.

On a recent trip to Britanny I was travelling in a car as a passenger. We were directed to an upper deck in which the cars were packed so tight that the only possible way to leave the car was by climbing out on the driver's side, which would have been impossible for anyone less than agile. Even then there was less than 18 inches of space on the driver's side.

In the event of a fire on the car decks whilst loading, it would have been impossible for many passengers to leave their cars amid the smoke, heat and anxiety of all to leave. The loading officer I spoke to on the ferry said he realised the problem but was under instructions to get all the cars on, irrespective of their width.

BOB WILLIS

Bitton, Avon

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in