Available online
Description
This programme, filmed in colour on the south coast of England and in France, looks at several economic aspects of the Tunnel Project. For instance, what were the criteria of the Transport Cost Ben...efit Analysis commissioned by the Department of the Environment? How will the novel financing system work? This is the first time the British government and private enterprise have cooperated on a project of this size. Will the tunnel really attract the traffic predicted even if foreign holidays aren't cut back by the oil shortage? And what will be the effects on Folkestone, where the vast road/rail terminal will be sited, and on British ports which will lose traffic to the tunnel? The Channel Tunnel is the largest in a line of multimillion pound transport schemes. But does Britain really need a tunnel, or could existing services be expanded at far less cost? The programme is presented by Dr. Grahame Thompson and Anna Bittles, both of The Open University. Also taking part are spokesmen for the Department of the Environment, the British Channel Tunnel Company, and the Channel Tunnel Opposition Association.
This programme, filmed in colour on the south coast of England and in France, looks at several economic aspects of the Tunnel Project. For instance, what were the criteria of the Transport Cost Ben...efit Analysis commissioned by the Department of the Environment? How will the novel financing system work? This is the first time the British government and private enterprise have cooperated on a project of this size. Will the tunnel really attract the traffic predicted even if foreign holidays aren't cut back by the oil shortage? And what will be the effects on Folkestone, where the vast road/rail terminal will be sited, and on British ports which will lose traffic to the tunnel? The Channel Tunnel is the largest in a line of multimillion pound transport schemes. But does Britain really need a tunnel, or could existing services be expanded at far less cost? The programme is presented by Dr. Grahame Thompson and Anna Bittles, both of The Open University. Also taking part are spokesmen for the Department of the Environment, the British Channel Tunnel Company, and the Channel Tunnel Opposition Association.
| Module code and title: | D222, Microeconomics |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D222; 08; 1974 |
| First transmission date: | 22-09-1974 |
| Published: | 1974 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:29 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nicholas Gosling |
| Contributors: | Grahame Thompson; Anna Bittles; Susan Fogarty; Eric Price; George Naylor; Alan Cornish |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Channel tunnel; Cost benefit analysis; Economics |
| Footage description: | Pathe News Reel Film presenting the Channel Tunnel. Models of tunnel, terminal etc. with prominent businessmen advocates. Standing in front of the pilot tunnel at Shakespeare Cliff, Dover, Bittles and Thompson introduce the programme. They outline the scheme as it stands now, with models. Over contemporary prints of the Tunnel, Bittles looks at the history of the scheme, first muted in 1802. Using cost/benefit analysis techniques the Government proposals were published in 1973. Thompson outlines them briefly. Susan Fogarty of the Department of the Environment's Channel Tunnel Unit expands the terms of reference for the cost/benefit analysis. Eric Price, also of the DOE, describes in detail the costs and benefits included in the study - the total generalised transport cost. Thompson, in front of the Tunnel workings in France, outlines the whole financial basis of the project, stressing the liaison between Government and private interests. George Naylor of the British Channel Tunnel Company outlines the financing broadly. This is further explained with detailed figures by Thompson. Thompson in studio with oscilloscope. He uses a pre-programmed computer to show how the logistics curve of demand may vary very markedly with small changes in input. He explains the problems in building the graph. Shots of Dover harbour with hovercraft. Alan Cornish explains some of the uncertainties in forecasting of demand, claiming that unrealistic forecasts had been made, and no sensitivity analysis had been carried out. Graph of Internal Rate of Return. More shots of Dover harbour and ferries. Thompson presents some of the problems involved with the ferries. Bittles aboard a Channel Ferry. She discusses possible traffic problems in S.E. England, including the need for a new rail link and the load on the existing road network. More shots of Dover harbour and port facilities. Bittles on the South Downs outlines the size of planned terminals and Thompson mentions some of the environmental problems involved. Models and artists' impressions of the terminals and tunnels. Shots from a Ferry looking back at Dover Harbour. Bittles and Thompson conclude suggesting possible further studies and stressing the link between economics and political decisions. Banjo music with short film clips. Credits. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71446 |
| Production number: | 00525_2040 |
| Videofinder number: | 94 |
| Available to public: | no |
