Boris Johnson Suggests 'bridge' Between Uk And France

[mikey4444]

Has Boris been at the vino ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42743909

We can't even afford to fund the NHS and our prisons properly, so this new idea of his will probably join Boris Island in the Estuary, and the "Garden Bridge" over the Thames.

[vulcan42]

According to experts, civil engineers, it is feasible but very expensive. The channel would be divided into thirds with two islands. A bridge to the first island then a tunnel, so ships could pass between the islands and finally another bridge.

[mikey4444]

Naomi....yes she has and so has Rudd. There are no plans for a bridge across the Channel. Mrs May knew nothing of it.

"Asked about the remarks, the prime minister's spokesman said: "I haven't seen any plans on that"

So, this bridge will go the same way as Boris Island and the Garden Bridge, a project that he wasted £37m of public money.

By the way, Boris has yet to explain how £37m was spent, without a brick being laid.

[naomi24]

Mikey, he's not planning a bridge. I know you like Boris-bashing, just as you like Trump-bashing - but do try to keep a sense of perspective.

[mikey4444]

I never said that he was Naomi. But can you explain where that £37m went ?

If his Labour predecessor had spent an eye-wateringly large sum, for a project that went nowhere, and had nothing to show for it, you would have been spitting feathers long before now.

[naomi24]

Mikey, so what does 'Boris Johnson Suggests 'bridge' Between Uk And France' mean - and what does the garden bridge have to do with this? You wouldn't be trying to change the subject, would you? I know how you hate it when people do that.

[mikey4444]

Boris is on record as saying that we need a second connection with the Continent, and he quite clearly suggested that a bridge might be the way to proceed.

My reference to Boris island and the Garden Bridge was clearly to show that in the past, Boris has not always supported the correct option.

And where did that £37m go ?

[naomi24]

Mikey, you're meeting yourself coming back! Perhaps you could do with a bridge!

The £37m, I presume, went in planning costs. Architects and specialist engineers don't come cheap you know! Next!

[dance2trance]

As a concept and visionary engineering proposal it is wonderful. Why such negativity? Why not do it? China has a way longer bridge. It can be done.

Did people say to Rockefeller 'You can NOT build so high! You are insane. It will fail. The building will be empty forever, the lifts won't work anyway, and there will be no water and the wind will blow it over - it is the Tower of Babylon all over again. You mark my words it will be a disaster and besides the country is in recession pal.' Yes they did. That's why there is no Rockefeller Centre in NYC. Yeah right - as if!!

Did Brunel say to himself 'Oh dear it is way too far over that gorge and I feel sicky wicky so lets not bother with the Clifton Suspension'.
And did people say 'OOOH yes we agree and besides it will never pay for itself you know, evah, and the Welshies will just run along it and steal our English jobs and women and men oh crikey! And it will be suicide black spot lawks a mercy!". Yes they did. They actually did!! That is why there is no Clifton Suspension Bridge - yeah right as if!

And did people say the Channel Tunnel will fail because the roof will fall in and every body will get ever so wet and drown and besides how can they meet in the middle anyway? and it is all so darned difficult that it just can not be done evah! And besides we are in recession.' Yes they did. They really did. That is why there is no Channel Tunnel - yeah right as if!

It is a wonderful VISION. It is wonderful. It is wonderful. Yes it is!

[mikey4444]

I agree Dancy. I am very much a Vorsprung Durch Technik type of person. Of course it is possible to build a bridge.

But the difficulty here is the money. When we have a NHS collapsing about our ears, 10,000's of people thrown out of work because of the failure of Carillion, and many other calls on funding, just where is the money coming from for an engineering venture like this ?

Also, I am not sure if there is an urgent need to build a second way across the Channel at this moment in time.

[emmie]

i don't think Mrs May was impressed with the idea.
nor am i quite frankly. It would be a fool who proposes it and generally speaking i like Boris but this is a bridge too far.

[mikey4444]

Emmie.....to be fair, I quite like Boris as well, but I wouldn't let him near anything important.

[emmie]

he is foreign secretary, that is pretty important in the scheme of things.

[mikey4444]

Emmie.......yes, I suppose so. I think May works on the principle keeping her friends close and her enemies even closer.

[Old_Geezer]

The idea starts to sound even worse. Not one bridge but two, and two change points to a tunnel, plus two islands, and then funneling all the shipping, thought to be busy for a full width Channel, into a third of the width. On top of all the other issues mentioned. Just because something can be done doesn't mean that it ought to be done.

Unsure what Garden bridges have to do with it. Different concept that wasn't bought into at the end of the day.

[mikey4444]

OG ....I explained about the reference to the garden Bridge earlier in this thread

....a project that we didn't need, that Boris supported and one that cost £37m, of public money, without a brick being laid.

I very much doubt if a single penny will be spent on any new bridge over the Channel. It is technically possible but given what the engineers have said, and you have repeated, it would be hideously expensive, especially for something that we don't appear to need.

[douglas9401]

It's a complete mystery to me, why this site is slowly fading away, really is.

[Old_Geezer]

Many things that aren't needed are done for the pleasure of having them. Gardens are nice/attractive; and people enjoy follies. Just a late decision not to have it after an amazingly large spend.

[mikey4444]

OG...perhaps it was cancelled to prevent more money being wasted ?