Opale Link

Hi, Opale Link is an Association that was founded in April 2006 with the aim of improving the economic, social and cultural links between the South East of England and the North of France – and in particular the Opale Coast.     Totally independent of any political party, Opale Link is a bi-cultural organisation with around 40 members and many more supporters. It was founded out of the frustration of witnessing very high levels of unemployment, poverty and a stagnant economy in the region around Calais and the low unemployment, and high economic growth and development in Kent and London, only a few kilometres away on the other side of the Channel.   The South East of England suffers from saturated roads, water shortages, high land and property prices, full employment....The North of France has a relatively empty but well developed motorway network, excellent high speed rail links to Brussels, Paris and London, the channel tunnel, the ports of Boulogne, Calais and Dunkerque, relatively low property prices, land available for development and high unemployment.... On top of this the perspective of the completion of the CTRL in the autumn of this year brings Calais Fréthun within the commuter belt of London – the journey time being reduced to less than one hour from Calais Fréthun to St Pancras – and even less to Ashford / Stratford / Ebbesfleet.      Since its creation in April 2006, Opale Link has succeeded in bringing to the attention of local government bodies on both sides of the channel the potential benefits that would arise from implementing an affordable ‘cross channel Metro’ type service. The scepticism is beginning to weaken. We remain convinced that it is just a question of time before the service is implemented.   We are opening a new web site very soon and please keep touch with us. Sincerely,   Thaddée Segard Opale Link Le Flot 62179 Tardinghen . France 00 33 6 64 14 82 35 00 33 3 21 92 05 26