Massive new Continental canal

THE government of France is backing a massive new commercial waterway linking the Seine to Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, after increased European Union (EU) funds for the multi-billion euro project are possible.

The Seine-Nord Canal will be a 66 miles long commercial waterway, the largest such European canal project in 30 years and the first in France since World War Two, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Massive loads

The canal is designed to relieve some of northern Europe's most congested motorways by moving freight on to a purpose designed waterway capable of handling massive loads by barges.

However, its ever spiralling costs from an estimated four billion euros to more than seven billion, led to the suspension of tenders last year, after receiving just over 5% aid from the EU, but it seems it will contribute much more with European transport ministers agreeing that the EU will eventually contribute as much as 40% of the costs of construction.