How the Channel is being affected by Brexit-
In 1972 Britain signed an agreement to join the EU; just shy of 50 years later some are looking for a way out. Brexit. Brexit, or Britain Exiting the EU waprops a proposal made by Teresa May on the 29th March 2017. If the majority of people voted for a change, Britain would no longer have the rights they have now. Nearly all of these are rights are in regard to Travel and the Trading of goods, this is where Britain would be affected most.
On the 29th of March 2019 the government votes came in and Brexit didn’t go ahead. Most people were “Chuffed” Brexit didn’t happen, but what about the latter percentage that didn’t get their way?
The Eurotunnel
The Eurotunnel was built in 1988 and ever since then it has really been a bonding point for the UK and the EU as a sign of their teamwork. Eurotunnel is a series of three tunnels that run under the Channel, would these become seperate French and English tunnels , who knows? What we do know is that at this moment in time you can stroll through and go to the other country but brexit would change that. Brexit would be a pain to any of the users of the Eurotunnel as they would have to show their passports and go through customs, which could take hours for some. This would be an annoyance for people with babies or truck drivers taking perishable items. They would have to get more parking spaces and lots more staff to deal with the influx of people held at the start of the tunnel.
The company, Eurotunnel recently renamed Getlink has come out with a statement saying the Eurotunnel accounts for 26% of the goods trade between UK and Continetial Europe. They say that if Brexit was to go ahead the Eurotunnel would rely on The UK and the EU to put “efficient” border controls that don’t result in delay.
In the last year there has been noticeable, sharp slowdown in the usage of travel with the tunnels as well as a French officer strike. Both of these affected the operations of the Eurotunnel.
Fishermen
Since the signing connecting Britain to Europe in 1972 English fishermen have seemed to think they have drawn the short straw, they agreed that they would be able to fish all over their coastline as well as Scotland and Wales’, the French agreed that they could fish over their coast and slightly further on the British side of the channel then the British were allowed on theirs. As of now the French have overfished in their areas and they are slowly coming closer and closer to the UK in search of fish, Fishermen believe that Brexit could change that.
Lots of fishermen are also catching dead or already caught fish with hook holes in them. With the recent limits on how much fish they are allowed to catch this can be even more annoying. English Fishermen say that Brexit could help change this and push the French out of their waters.
Shipping
At the moment the english Channel is divided into two parts, one for ships traveling up the channel towards the Netherlands and the other heading down towards Spain. Brexit would make these become the English side and the French side. This would make it very difficult to get all the ships through and a right hassle for the already stressed Captains. Not only are they affected by space, they are also affected in the speed it takes to ship things. No longer will they be able to easily bring goods from one side of the Channel to the other, they will have to apply for customs or else they can’t ship goods. These would cause yet more delays which would have knock on effects for people relying on the constant stream of supplies.
Brexit has divided a Nation, if it were to go ahead there would be people upset and some celebrating. For most people it would spring forth a major inconvenience for traveling, trading or receiving goods. Although it could benefit the fishermen what good is fish to them if the transport is delayed and rots in the Eurotunnel or the Ship before it even reaches France. More people will be affected negatively than positively.
Plus who knows what Britain has in store now Teresa is out of Power?
The Tunnel
The Fisherman
Captains of the Boats
Linking The Tunnel and the Captains together through trade.
