Tunnel boring machine sparks row

The drill was bought for £39,999 on online auction site eBay

Plans to exhibit a huge boring machine used to build the Channel Tunnel are causing controversy in Kent.

Planners at Shepway Council want to put the machine, which was sold on the internet site eBay, on display in Folkestone near junction 13 of the M20.

But members of the town council are opposed to the scheme as they claim motorists will be distracted by it.

The drill was bought in April 2004 for £39,999 by a Kent man who originally planned to use it for scrap.

'Too dangerous'

A spokesman for Eurotunnel said: "The landmark attraction will reinforce Folkestone's status as a gateway to Europe.

"The plans would only entail using a small section including the cutting head."

Another of the 580-tonne boring machines used in the project is already on display in Coquelles, France.

But Richard Wallace, chairman of Folkestone Town Council, said placing the machine close to a major motorway is just too dangerous and would ruin the countryside.

'Striking machine'

He said: "People may be intrigued and will look away from the roundabout which is rather dangerous and there could be an accident.

"We don't think a tunnel boring machine is really appropriate for the middle of the countryside."

Mr Wallace added that the "striking machine" would be ideally suited for an industrial estate, science museum or should be placed nearer the entrance to the tunnel.

A decision is expected to be made at a planning meeting on Tuesday evening.