Thousands of years after the Channel Island of Jersey separated from Normandy, new proposals intend to reunite it with the French mainland.

Normandy is just 16 miles away and the people of Jersey regularly take the island’s ferry to buy cheese and wine on the Continent. But now, proposals to build a bridge between the two are creating excitement. A fuel pipeline, fibre-optic cable and wind farm would also be incorporated into the infra-structure.

The possibilities of commuting to work are enticing on an island where, at just nine miles by five miles and with a population of 91,000, house prices have risen to levels similar to those in Central London.

Peter Walsh, a businessman and former president of the island’s chamber of commerce, has costed his bridge plan at £1 billion after looking at similar projects linking Sweden and Denmark. He believes that the bridge could be built and operated by private companies, although an approach to the Elysée Palace has already elicited interest from President Sarkozy. “[He] was positive about the plan and I am having meetings with the regional government of Normandy,” Mr Walsh told The Times.

The Jersey government’s economic development division is also showing an interest: it has been in touch with the Severn Bridge authorities – another private enterprise. “Most Jersey people travel to France on the ferry all the time and there are multiple benefits from a bridge,” said Mr Walsh.

He has calculated that Jersey could raise more than £40 million a year from charging bridge tolls. Island residents would be charged £25 for taking a car across.

The bridge would be constructed between the Seymour Tower on the island’s east coast and between Gouville-sur-Mer and Blainville-sur-Mer, finally resurrecting the land bridge between the same two points that existed during the Ice Age.

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