Human cost of the 35-mile Swiss rail tunnel | Letter from the UK Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS)

It was good to see your extensive coverage of the new 35-mile Gotthard Base tunnel (Five miles longer than the Channel tunnel, Switzerland's transalpine record breaker, 1 June). A useful reminder of the contribution large civil infrastructure projects make to economic development. It's a pity you did not mention the nine workers who are reported to have died in accidents during the construction and are commemorated by a plaque close to the northern portal. There is much contemporary complaint about excessive health and safety legislation from the EU and our own government. Think on: there's a reason it's still needed.
Bill Hewlett (Chair), David MacKenzie, Allan Mann, Alastair Soane on behalf of the UK Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS)

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