EURO VISION

摘要

Over the past two decades the European tunnelling market has strengthened and expanded, both in the number of projects and technical capabilities. Although activity in southern Europe has slowed as a result of the recent global economic recession and the Eurozone uncertainty, projects in northern Europe are forging ahead. In fact, according to BTS chairman and Balfour Beatty tunnelling manager Roger Bridge, it's probably the best it's ever been, in the UK at least. Ian Gee, director, ground engineering at Atkins, agrees. "These are upbeat and exciting times. We're very excited about what's happening and what's on the drawing board," he says. Jordi Ferrando Cuadradas, FCC Construction's managing director for Europe, is equally positive. "Infrastructure investment in Europe may still be down on pre-crisis levels but there are a number of high-profile tunnelling projects planned, under way and recently completed that give good reason to be optimistic," he says.