Getting to the other side

Frustrating, extremely slow and subject to a plethora of unexpected delays are phrases that could describe a typical rush hour journey through the Tyne Tunnel.

They could equally well describe the tortuous process of planning and delivering a second tunnel.

The latest shift of the pieces in this most ponderous of chess games comes with the news that the Tyne and Wear Passenger Authority (TWPTA) has revealed it is looking at fresh options for the financing of the £185m crossing.

It is now looking at paying for the scheme by means of a 50-50 split. A private contractor would pay pay half of the money and the TWPTA would borrow the rest under new regulations made available by the Government.

Stan Smith, who as regular readers of The Journal will know, is a veteran and knowledgable student of the tunnel project, thinks the would lead to the "worst of both worlds" and create confusion in the massive project.

TWPTA chairman Councillor David Wood said the funding split could provide the best value for money and would help keep tolls low. TWPTA says the four shortlisted bidders - Bouygues, Connect North East, T4 and Tyneside Link - have been informed of the proposed 50-50 split and have not complained.

He also stated that the project remains on course for completion by 2009.

We can't help but feel that the TWPTA's change of tack on the question of finance at this late stage is something of a worry.

However, if this really is the best way to deliver the tunnel, then so be it.

At this stage, with the Government's permission finally in the bag and contractors piecing together their bids, what we want to see is a start made on the work.

If, come 2009, drivers are zipping through a nice new tunnel (and not paying through the nose for the privilege) then they really won't care how it was all paid for.

Hunting isn't for the birds

The Government should have known who it was dealing with when it took on the hunting lobby.

For many years Labour MPs struggled to bring in a Bill which would ban hunting while a Labour government did little to help.

Finally, they succeeded. But the victory is not yet total. Hunting, in one form or another, survives.

One reason why it has done so is that the Government's legislation left holes, as one North-East huntsman put it yesterday, that you could drive a bus through.

Another reason is the determination of the hunting lobby to ensure their sport survived - even if it had to evolve in some rather unexpected ways.

However, the South Durham Hunt's move to use an eagle owl as part of a hunt is innovative but misguided.

As Jim Chick, chairman of the Hawk Board, the falconers' governing body, said: "The foxhunting lobby needs all the goodwill it can get and birds of prey are dear to the heart of the British public."

The legality of the hunt's plans may well be tested in the courts. Even should this particular loophole be ruled legal, the Government is quite likely to close it in due course. The South Durham Hunt is going to need another plan.

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