The Channel Spaces

Barrier

illegal immigration

by hiding in trucks, ferries, cars, or trains : Channel Tunnel

by small boats

very dangerous

who ?

In 2018, more than 630,000 asylum seekers applied for international protection in the EU

The UK came in sixth with 37,000 first-time applicants

from Iraq, Iran and Syria

a high controlled border/space

£2,000 fine per stowaway

lorries move on to be either X-rayed or tested with a monitor which detects any heartbeats on board

officers have guns, batons and body armor and are therefore equipped to clear out migrants

customs checkpoint

documents checked by UK border staff

port =

protected by 16ft (5m) fences topped with coils of razor wire

patrols of security guards with dogs and carbon dioxide detectors

network of surveillance cameras

consequences of the Brexit : fishing issues

Before the Brexit

since the 18th century, French and European (7/8 members) fished in the English Channel

rich in staples of the European diet: cod, herring, mackerel and sole as well as shellfish such as langoustine.

The majority of the EU catch is made in the North East Atlantic = British waters are a crucial part.

EU boats annually land more than 700,000 tonnes of fish caught in UK waters

France, Netherlands, Danemark, Ireland, Germany

Brexit

the UK will “take back control” and has full jurisdiction over the UK’s “spectacular maritime wealth”

Brexit means escaping from the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) = a system that UK fishermen argue has cost jobs and livelihoods.

Britain become an independent coastal state

Britain sees Norway as a model. Oslo holds annual negotiations with the EU on access to waters. => this deal was approved by EU and UK in December 2022.

Contact zone

Flows and exchanges

UK <--> Europe

North Sea <--> Atlantic routes

world's busiest seaway

500 ships per day

Since January 1971 = Dover TSS

world's first radar-controlled Traffic Separation Scheme

was set up by the International Maritime Organization

Channel Tunnel

opening = 1994

3 tunnels

2 rail tunnels used for freight and passenger trains

1 service tunnel

50.45 kilometers (31.5 miles) long,

world's longest undersea tunnel

underwater section covering 37.9 kilometers

since its opening = 430 million travelers have passed through the tunnel

a quarter of the goods moved between Britain and Europe.

European migrant crisis (2015)

migrants gathered in Calais hoping to reach the UK via the Channel Tunnel