
The fortunes of Eurotunnel, the company that operates the link and the vehicle-carrying train service Le Shuttle, have come to overshadow the engineering achievement.
Debt crises and displays of brinkmanship by the company and its lenders were regular features of the construction phase. With huge debts to pay off (see below) and usage figures far below expectation (right), the financial problems have continued.
The latest development in the saga saw a boardroom coup led by disgruntled shareholders who forced the replacement of the group's chairman and chief executive.
By contrast Eurostar - the firm that runs passenger trains through the tunnel – is in good financial health.

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 Nicolas Miguet led the shareholder revolt that resulted in the overthrow of the company's board |