The World - News from Feb. 27, 1989

More than 15,000 people marched in London to protest British plans for four possible routes for a high-speed rail link between the capital and the English Channel tunnel, now under construction, that will link Britain to France. Groups set up by residents of rural southeast England to oppose each of the plans handed in letters of protest at Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s office. People who live near the proposed routes maintain that the rail link will hurt the environment, be a noisy eyesore and lower property values. The tunnel is due to open in 1993, and rail links carrying trains at speeds of up to 180 m.p.h. are planned between London and Paris.