Eurotunnel has inaugurated its new Security Control Centre on the French Terminal at Coquelles outside Calais. An official unveiling was in the presence of Madame Fabienne Buccio, Préfète of the Pas-de-Calais; and Paul Booth, Deputy Director of the UK agency Border Force, South East and Europe Region.
The Channel Tunnel operators say their decision to embark on this major investment was taken after the meeting on the site during the summer of 2015 between Theresa May and Bernard Cazeneuve who were at the time Home Secretary and interior minister respectively for the United Kingdom and France.
The new building which has a floor space of 547m2, has the latest technology and can accommodate all of the law enforcement authorities present on the Coquelles site for cooperation on the ground between Eurotunnel’s own personnel and the two states.
A 20m2 screen-wall in the new control room, pictured, which itself measures 171m2, provides five video operators, the supervisor and coordinator, who are permanently stationed in the room, with a view over the 650 hectares of the site and the 30km of security perimeter fencing via 570 static and mobile cameras that offer day and night vision.
The building has two living walls and a light well which help to reduce the use of electricity for lighting. The heat generated from the IT equipment is recovered and re-used for heating via and air recirculation system.
Background
The Eurotunnel Group holds the Channel Tunnel Concession until 2086. Some 2.5 million cars, 1.5 trucks and 21 million people a year pass through the Chunnel on ‘Le SHuttle’. High-speed passenger trains and rail freight trains also run through the Channel Tunnel.
On the fences at Eurotunnel at Calais see the Jacksons website.
