The number of passengers using the Channel Tunnel declined last year, following the abolition of duty free sales within the European Union in July 1999.
The number of car and coach passengers fell by 15 per cent and three per cent respectively.
Tunnel operator Eurotunnel said an increase in freight traffic helped offset the passenger decline.
Freight traffic rose by 35 per cent during 2000, with 1.1 million trucks using the tunnel.
The tunnel was officially opened in May 1994.
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