It is an issue that has divided Italy for close to two decades and has resulted in violent protests and a number of arrests.

The TAV or Treno Alta Velocita is an extravagant project which will see a 35 mile rail link (four miles longer than the Channel Tunnel) built underneath the Alps, linking Turin and Lyon.

Work is set to commence on the Italian side of the border following almost two decades of protests. The first step in the process is to begin excavations in access tunnels so that geologists can go in and investigate the conditions.

After all this time you might ask what has caused these developments. Well, firstly Mario Monti, the new Prime Minister of Italy as of November 2011, was elected on the basis that he would come in and restore economic confidence across Italy. His background with the European Commission teamed with the fact that they consider the tunnel a “strategic imperative” to the vision of Europe means that things are finally pushing forward. After meeting with Mario Virano, Special Commissioner of the tunnel and several members of the cabinet, Monti revealed that: “We want to go ahead with the TAV project, not just because we inherited it but because we believe in it”.

There are many arguments for and against the tunnel and families and friends in the Susa region, which will be affected by the plans, have been torn apart by their differences of opinion.

Those against the tunnel fear that the plans are out of date and a complete waste of time. They argue that the railway that is already in place is well enough equipped to deal with any increase in traffic between the French and Italian cities. There is also a fear that excavation will mean exposing workers to harmful chemicals such as asbestos and uranium.

Those rooting for the development of the TAV believe that it will breathe new life into the local, regional and national economies. On top of this, they are quick to assert to the doubters that the train line will actually help the environment as it will mean that there will be less transport lorries driving in the delicate alpine environment. Another plus is that the journey time between Paris and Milan will be dramatically reduced from seven hours to just four.

The line is due to be the final link in the Pan-European network which stretches far and wide from Bulgaria to Barcelona and beyond. Another factor in the argument is that the work on the French side of the Alps is largely complete and should the project be abandoned completely, Italy would likely face a huge bill for damages of at least €1bn (£820m).

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