§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that adequate seismic monitoring has been conducted to establish the nature and extent of possible subterranean disturbances which could affect the structure of the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received from Dr. Richard Haworth, chief geophysicist of the geophysical survey on geological structures, when considering the Channel tunnel; what consideration was given to them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David Mitchell[holding answer 16 May 1988]: Dr. Howarth approached my Department in December 1985, asking whether there had been any investigation into the susceptibility of the Channel tunnel fixed link to earth tremors, and offering the services of the British Geological Survey to investigate the seismic risk associated with the Link and to monitor seismicity. He was told of the advice from the British Geological Survey prior to the 1975 Channel tunnel project, the way this information had been passed to the Channel Tunnel Group, and the coverage of seismic risks in the group's proposal.
It is for Eurotunnel to assemble and assess data, including data on earthquakes and the geophysical features of the region, on which to base the design of the Channel tunnel, its ancillary infrastructure and its equipment. The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority is considering outline design proposals from Eurotunnel for the entire project and satisfying itself that all risks and safety aspects have been properly taken into account, including earthquakes. All these design proposals are being scrutinised and commented on by the independent maitre d'oeuvre. The authority has been considering 402W commissioning independent specialist advice on seismic aspects of Eurotunnel's proposals, but not considering commissioning seismic monitoring.