The Tunnel Under the Channel

"The Tunnel Under the Channel" by Thomas Whiteside is a narrative that unfolds the extensive history of attempts to construct a tunnel under the English Channel, linking England and France. It explores the significant engineering problems, the political opposition, and the social consequences tied to this ambitious project. The prevailing perceptions of national identity and security played a pivotal role in the discussions and debates surrounding the project. The beginning introduces the formidable physical and psychological challenges presented by the English Channel, and it explains the range of proposed engineering interventions and societal attitudes toward building such a tunnel. Whiteside examines the Channel’s geographic attributes, highlighting its shallow depths and dangerous waters, that fueled the desire for a land crossing. The narrative includes past ideas from forward-thinking people, and it suggests that national identity and pride were closely connected to the concept of tunneling, uncovering an interaction between tradition and innovation.