Fears over Chunnel suspension

Asylum seekers have been targeting freight trains

The body overseeing Britain's railways says it is extremely worried about the suspension of rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel.

Services have been halted temporarily because of the problem of asylum seekers trying to get on the trains.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is worried this will jeopardise the government 10-year transport plan, and congestion reduction targets.

The warning comes after fears were expressed that British jobs could be lost because of the suspension.

Businesses which used the tunnel to transport freight have been forced to use roads, therefore adding to pollution and congestion says the SRA.

The tunnel is a faster and cheaper way of moving good long distances, and it is a key part of the government's target to increase the amount carried by rail freight by at least 80% over the next 10 years.

Julia Clark, head of freight at the SRA, told the BBC she was extremely concerned about the suspension.

Jobs threat

She said the longer it went on, the harder it would be to meet this key target in the government's 10-year plan.

SNCF decided to halt cargo services last weekend after more than 200 asylum seekers invaded the freight depot at Frethun, near Calais.

On Wednesday, Graham Smith, planning director of English Welsh Scottish railways (EWS), said the move has placed up to 8,000 jobs in jeopardy.

And Lord Berkeley, chairman of the Rail Freight Group, has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to travel to Calais and liaise with the French Government to deal with the problem.