Groupe Eurotunnel says it is involved with the Carex consortium which is developing high-speed rail freight options intended to replace some current short-haul flights.

"We think that we can regenerate the rail-freight business if we are able to have a service of high quality," Groupe Eurotunnel executive chairman Jacques Gounon said.

Eurotunnel also is working with Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany's state-owned rail company, to set up a train service between London and Frankfurt, though it faces obstacles.

Current safety rules say passenger trains using the 'Chunnel' be at least 400 metres long so that part of any stopped train will always be beside one of the doors to the emergency escape tunnel, which are 375 metres apart.

DB trains currently are only 200 metres long.