The Channel Bridge. I am happy to report that Commandant Poll's admirable scheme for traffic in the Strait of Dover (p. 75) has provoked, at least on paper, a most interesting reaction. Commandant Poll brought out his plan in February 1960. In March the Compagnie Française d'Entreprises consulted me about a scheme for a Channel Bridge which they had drawn up in conjunction with the English firm of Dorman Long and the American Merrit-Chapman and Scott Company.

As seamen we hold no brief either for a bridge or for a tunnel; our personal interest can be no more than an expression of our attitude as citizens of our respective countries. But as soon as the matter was brought to my attention I realized that there can be no two opinions about our professional attitude: we must first make sure that the bridge will neither endanger nor delay shipping, and when we are satisfied on that point, we must do nothing to hinder the realization of a project which cannot fail to improve international relations in our ageing West.

How are we to make sure of our necessary condition? The first and most important step is to establish the one-way routes detailed by Commandant Poll, and to see to it that the arches which cross them are as wide as possible. The normal span, 200 metres from pier to pier, with a clearance of 53 metres, is suitable only for small ships.