Bridge too far: Boris' 20-mile Channel crossing would be 'migrant magnet'

BORIS Johnson’s plan to build a bridge between England and France has been ridiculed by critics.

By Ruth McKee /

Boris's bridge over the Channel has been slammed PA

BOJO: Boris Johnson's plan for a bridge over the Channel won't get off the ground

The Foreign Secretary raised the idea for the 20-mile road crossing at this week’s UK-France summit.

He said: “It’s crazy that two of the biggest economies in the world are connected by one railway line when they are only 20 miles apart.”

But experts claimed a bridge would be a danger to Channel traffic.

The UK Chamber of Shipping said: “Building a huge concrete structure in the middle of the world’s busiest shipping lane might come with some challenges.”

And other critics labelled the idea “unworkable” and “ridiculous”. 

President Macron is said to be keen on the plan TWITTER

BUILDING BRIDGES: The French President is said to be keen on Boris' plan

Labour’s shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry, said she was baffled by the idea.

She tweeted: “I ignored this earlier because I assumed it wasn’t real. Apparently it is. I mean... who are these clowns claiming to run our country.”

Others said a bridge between England and France would encourage immigrants to try to cross into Britain.

Earlier this week PM Theresa May agreed to stump up £45million for French security around the Channel Tunnel.

One social media user wrote: “Used to support Boris BUT this idea either bridge or other tunnel will only benefit France’s illegal migrants who want to come to the UK. Not one of his better ideas.” 

Bridges across the Channel have been mooted before PA

MIGHT WORK: Bridges across the Channel have been mooted for decades

“Used to support Boris BUT this idea either bridge or other tunnel will only benefit France’s illegal migrants who want to come to the UK. Not one of his better ideas.”

A social media user

Another added: “Umm.... no, it’ll be another potential migrant crossing point to patrol Boris ....will we spend another £45m protecting this bridge too?”

But one engineering expert said Boris’s scheme could actually work.

Bridge designer Ian Firth said: “It is entirely feasible. Before the Tunnel was built there were bridge options being looked at.

“There are bridges of a similar – if not quite the same – scale elsewhere.” 

London Mayor Boris Johnson's funniest moments

 
Mayor of London Boris Johnson's funniest moments.
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Boris Johnson (C) attempts a pull up while inspecting one of the ordered London buses at the Wrightbus factory on February 29, 2016 in Antrim, Northern Ireland Getty Images
Boris Johnson (C) attempts a pull up while inspecting one of the ordered London buses at the Wrightbus factory on February 29, 2016 in Antrim, Northern Ireland

    French president Emmanuel Macron is said to back the proposal.

    In a joint declaration with Mrs May he said: “The United Kingdom and France have a long history of collaboration in delivering cutting-edge technologies.”

    ●Mrs May revealed she may not back Brexit if another referendum was held.

    Speaking on French TV, the PM said: “If a vote was to come up, I would do what I did last time round which was sit down and look carefully at the issues.

    "But there isn’t going to be another vote, so this is not an issue.”