21th March 2011
European Commission, Vice President Siim Kallas, Commissioner responsible for Transport, welcomed the European Railway Agency opinion on safety requirements for passenger trains in the Channel Tunnel. According to the ERA opinion, passengers’ trains should be able to operate in the channel tunnel providing that there is an equivalent high level of safety and that all EU safety requirements are met.
The Franco-British Intergovernmental Commission, which is the specific safety authority for the Channel Tunnel under EU law, requested the ERA, to issue a technical opinion on the advisability of modifying existing safety rules which prohibit trains with electric motors situated under the carriage floors to use the tunnel and prescribe a specific train length to facilitate evacuation in case of fire.
For the ERA opinion please click here
For further information please consult the European Commission official press release
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