A proposed 24-mile underwater tunnel between Morocco and Spain has hit a fresh snag. (Image: Getty)
The idea of an ambitious £6 billion underwater connection between and Europe has been gaining momentum – a tunnel linking and Spain via a 24-mile route under the Strait of .
A dream that has existed for more than a century, it could soon become a reality after the Government rented marine bottom seismometers for around £400,000 to analyse the area’s geology.
Some have expressed optimism that the project could be completed in time for the , which the two countries are co-hosting with .
However, plans have hit a fresh snag after initial studies discovered unexpected geological challenges.
These issues could see delays of up to a decade, meaning it may not be ready until 2040.
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The idea of connecting Europe and Africa dates back to 1869. (Image: Getty)
The idea of connecting and Africa dates back to 1869, but it was not until 1980 that Spain and Morocco signed a formal agreement to study the feasibility of a fixed link. Since then, multiple options have been proposed, from a bridge to a railway tunnel, before an underwater tunnel was finally settled.
The would see Punta Paloma in southern Spain linked to Malabata in northwest Morocco through an underwater tunnel up to 475 metres below sea level.
However, regarding this new issue, Transport Minister said, “The conditions are much more complex than expected,” but did not elaborate further on the problems.
The Spanish government contracted Herrenknecht Iberia to determine whether drilling through the “Camarinal Threshold” would be feasible.
This is the shallowest sea-floor pass between the Iberian Peninsula and Africa – found roughly 16 miles west of the Strait of Gibraltar.
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The Fixed Link Project would see Punta Paloma in Spain linked to Malabata in northwest Morocco, (Image: Google Earth)
The proposed design includes a first phase with a single rail tunnel, in which both high-speed passenger AVE and freight will travel in both directions.
A second phase will see a second tunnel built to allow one tunnel for each direction.
The tunnels would be 24 miles long, of which 17 miles would be at depths of 175 to 475 metres below sea level.
At its narrowest point, the distance between Morocco and Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar is just eight miles. However, geological and topographical factors mean another and longer route would need to be used.