Covid 19 dents Eurotunnel revenues

THE coronavirus crisis started to affect Eurotunnel’s earnings last month, and new figures for the first quarter of this year show that its revenues dropped back to €200 million. Earnings from Eurostar and rail freight fell by 8 per cent, and Shuttle income was down by 9 per cent. Tunnel owner Getlink said these falls were caused by new travel restrictions, although a 5 per cent fall in Europorte earnings, down to €30.7 million, was mostly caused by a strike on SNCF in January. Chairman and chief executive Jacques Gounon said: ‘Travel restrictions linked to the current health crisis have affected the Group’s traffic and revenues. In the coming weeks, the Group will build on its key strength linked to the supply of essential products to the United Kingdom and France. Having reacted immediately by implementing protective measures and reducing costs, the Group is ready to meet the expectations of its customers following the ending of lockdown.’

Signaller uses 3D printers to make visors

A NETWORK RAIL signaller is using his spare time to create visors for care workers on a 3D printer. Gary Knight is a Network Rail relief signaller in Barrow-in-Furness, and when he heard about the PPE shortage he and his wife Anita began creating the protective masks. The frame for each visor is created on the 3D printer, then Gary and Anita attach a clear plastic sheet to provide the protective screen. A fellow worker created a fundraising page for Gary, and the incoming donations have helped him to produce more than 1,500 visors so far and also to buy two more printers. Donations can be made at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/visors-for-care-workers.