Chunnel woes - but silver lining in sight

This from Judge Nutmeg...

The European Commission has today announced that it is taking proceedings against the UK and French Governments over their failure to comply with European railway law in the structure and regulation of the Channel Tunnel.  

In particular, the Commission is concerned that this non-compliance is causing prices for passengers and freight customers to be too high. 

No doubt this will be strongly opposed by the Governments, and long protracted court cases will follow.

Of course, if the European single market was working properly, one could rely on competitive powers to control prices; in this case competition from the alternative mode, cross channel ferries.

The same ferries in fact that the Competition Regulator has just banned Eurotunnel from buying, with multiple legal cases also heading to court.

The benefits of EU Membership for the Legal Profession can surely not be doubted even by Monsieur Farage and Co.

European rail liberalisation going swimmingly

Good to see that the statist behemoths in Europe can all  come together to embrace market reforms and real competition!

But what's this?

This rather forlorn press release has just emerged from the CER press office...

Liberalising continental railways seems to be proving a very grube business, or indeed, perhaps not enough of one?

Bloke with 'tash is to be new EU transport commissar

Good news from the European Union!

A bloke with a 'tash has been nominated for the role of Transport Commissar in Manuel Barroso's new European Commission.


Bloke with Tash comes from Estonia and lists the following amongst his achievements:

• 1972-1990: Member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
• 1991-1995 and 1999-2004: President of the Estonian Cyclists Union
• 2002: Elected among "100 Great Estonians of the 20th Century"
• 2003: Order of the National Coat of Arms 2nd class
• 2009: Order of the Hair Dryer 3rd Class (is this one right? Ed)

The appointment is expected to be rubber stamped on the 26th January.

Aside from being a former president of the Estonian Cyclists Union the BWT has no previous experience of Transport.

Eye salutes this triumph for demoracy and 'tash wearing.

UPDATE: This just in from Lu Ki Liki...

May I submit the following for the delectation and delight of Eye's readers?

I wonder if they are in anyway related?

UPDATE: An anonymous source volunteers....

Surely Eurotash's British relative is spin doctor Steve Fleming of "The Thick Of It" fame.


He makes an appearance from just after 3.20 on this clip.

Not in front of the kids... & volume off in the office.