On 28 April, the Eurotunnel committed to reduce the current level of track access charges imposed on rail freight operators using the Tunnel by up to 50%.
The new charge scheme will be applicable from June 2014, and remain in operation until 2023. The commitment by Eurotunnel is a direct response to the legal investigation opened by the European Commission against France and the UK for failure to implement European rules on access to infrastructure in the Channel Tunnel, in June 2013.
Currently, the Channel Tunnel is not being used to capacity, and a major reason for that is high track access charges. As a result, more freight is being carried on lorries, instead of by rail, and the high charges paid by freight operators can be passed onto their customers. According to the forecasts, the planned reduction of track access charges should allow rail freight in the Channel Tunnel to double in the next 5 years.
The European Commission welcomed the announcement by Eurotunnel to commit to reduce the current level of track access charges imposed on rail freight operators. The EC will assess implementation of these measures in the context of its ongoing infringement case.
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