To swim across the English Channel takes at least nine hours. It ‘ s hard work and it makes you short of breath. To fly over the channel takes only twenty minutes as long as you ’ re not held up at the airport , but it ‘ s an expensive way to travel. You can travel by hovercraft (气垫船) if you don ’ t mind the noise and that takes forty minutes. Otherwise , you can go by boat , if you remember your sea-sickness pills. All these means of transport have their problems , and the weary (厌烦的) traveler often dreams of being able to drive to France in his own car. “ Not possible , you say. Well , wait a minute. People are once again considering the idea of a channel tunnel or bridge. ” This time , the great London Council (议会) is looking into the possibility of building a channel link straight to London. A bridge would cost far more than a tunnel , but you would be able to by rail or by car on a bridge , yet a tunnel would provide a rail link only. Why is this idea being discussed again ? Is Britain realizing the need for links with Europe as a result of joining EEC ? Well , perhaps , the main reason , though , is that a tunnel or bridge would reach the twenty square kilometers of London ‘ s discussed dockland (船坞)。 A link from London to the continent would stimulate (刺激) trade and revitalize (使重新具有活力) the port , and would make London a main trading center in Europe. With a link over the Channel , you could buy your fish and chips in England and be able to eat them in France while they are still warm !