1802
In 1802, French mining engineer, Albert Mathieu put forward the first ever design for a Channel Tunnel, closely followed in 1803 by an English design proposal by Henri Mottray.1830
From 1830, the advent of steam trains and the construction of the rail network in Britain led to the first proposals for a rail tunnel. By the mid 19th century, French mining engineer, Thomé de Gamond had spend 30 years working on seven different designs. 1880
The first attempt at a tunnel excavation began in 1880 when the “Beaumont & English” tunnel boring machine began digging undersea on both sides of the Channel. 1909
Louis Blériot was the first to fly an aeroplane across the Channel.
1955
In 1955, the British Defence Minister announced that he no longer opposed a fixed link on military ground.
1957
On 16 July, a Channel Tunnel Study Group was formed.
1960
In July 1960, the Group proposed a railway tunnel system comprising a twin-bore rail tunnel with a service tunnel.
1973
The project was formally launched in 1973 by Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, and by George Pompidou, French President.
1975
The project was abandoned at the beginning of 1975 due to the fuel crisis.
On 30 November 1984, the British and French Governments announced their intention to seek private promoters for the construction and operation of a fixed link without public funding.
1985
The invitation to tender was issued in March 1985 and four serious proposals were submitted by 31 October.
Europont
A bridge with 5,000 metre spans suspended by means of Kevlar cables, was soon eliminated on cost grounds and the fact it was based on untried techniques.
Euroroute
Comprising both a drive-through bridge and tunnel system with artificial islands and a bored undersea rail tunnel.
Channel Expressway
A last minute submission consisting of both road and rail tunnels.
Eurotunnel
This bid was based on the 1972-1975 project with twin rail tunnels and a third service tunnel.
1986 - 20th January
Margaret Thatcher and François Mitterrand announced that the Eurotunnel bid had been selected.
1986-12th February
Foreign Affairs Ministers of both countries signed the Franco-British Treaty in Canterbury.
1986 - 14th March
The Concession Agreement was awarded to the two concessionnaires «The Channel Tunnel Group Ltd / France-Manche SA» for a period of 55 years.
1986 - 13th August
Formation of the Eurotunnel Group.
Signature of the construction contract between Eurotunnel and TransManche Link (TML)
1987 - 29th July
Margaret Thatcher and François Mitterrand ratified the Treaty of Canterbury, paving the way for the Channel Tunnel to become a reality.
1987 - 15th December
Boring of the service tunnel starts on the UK side.
1988 - 28th February
Start of service tunnel boring on the French side.
1990 - 1st December
British and French teams achieved the first historic breakthrough under the Channel, in the service tunnel, 22.3 km from the UK and 15.6 km from France. 1991 - 22nd May
Breakthrough in the North rail tunnel.
1991 - 28th June
Breakthrough in the South rail tunnel.
1993 - 10th December
Handover from TML to Eurotunnel.
1993 - 1994
Equipment installation and testing.
1994 - 6th May
Official opening by Queen Elizabeth II and French President François Mitterand.
1994 - 1st June
First international freight train in commercial service through the Channel Tunnel.
1994 - 25th July
Start of commercial truck shuttle service.
1994 - 14th November
Start of the commercial Eurostar service through the Channel Tunnel.
1994 - 22nd December
Start of the commercial passenger shuttle service for cars.
1995 - 21st March
Opening ceremony of the commercial centre Cité-Europe, next to the Coquelles terminal.
1995 - 26th June
Start of the commercial shuttle services for coaches.
1995 - 29th September
Start of the commercial passenger service for camper vans and caravans.
1996 - 18th November
Fire in the South tunnel, caused by a truck on a truck shuttle.
1997 - 10th July
Approval of the financial restructuring plan by shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting.
1997 - 19th December
Official agreement from governments to extend the Concession to 2086.
1998 - 29th January
Official signing of the financial restructuring agreement.
1998 - 7th April
Completion of financial restructuring.
1998 - 15th June
Opening ceremony of the F46 building, the longest railway workshop in the world, on the Coquelles terminal (828 m).
1999 - 11th January
Commercial launch of the first new Arbel truck shuttle.
1999 - 23rd March
Eurotunnel is named Top Construction Achievement of the 20th century for the Channel Tunnel.
1999 - 1st July
End of Duty Free within the European Union.
1999 - 30th December
Eurotunnel presents a road tunnel project to the two governments, as required by the Concession Agreement
2000 - 28th February
Start of the Pet Travel Scheme for cats and dogs.
2003 - 15th March
Eurotunnel becomes the first railway operator to apply for a licence under new EU rules liberalising the rail freight market.
2003 - 28th September
Opening of the first section of the high speed rail link in the UK.
2004 - 13th February
Eurotunnel is the first company ever to be granted a rail operator’s licence in France.
2004 - 7th April
Shareholder vote a new Board at the AGM.
2005 - 1st January
Launch of the new truck shuttle strategy which guarantee priority access to truck shuttles for hauliers under contract with Eurotunnel.