THE CROSS-CHANNEL rail operator has urged the Government to do more to get freight off Kent's congested roads and onto rail.

Admitting that asylum seekers had harmed rail freight services -- down 40 per cent in 2002 -- Eurotunnel said it was time to address the problem.

Eurotunnel has been working on plans for a new dedicated rail freight service between France and London.

Rail freight use has dropped steeply and the Folkestone-based company wants the Government to play its part with help for its rail plan.

Richard Shirrefs, chief executive, said: "We need Government to be intervening and co-ordinating their actions so that the railways, Eurotunnel and the Government together can start trying to make sure we release the potential of all the infrastructure that is being built."

Eurotunnel had a plan for a new freight service from France to London. "We want support for that -- it needs political will for that to happen," he said.

Considerable subsidies were being paid but failed to address the problem. "If people want to see more and more trucks going onto Kent roads, then we need to carry going on the way we are.

"If they want to see more freight going through on international rail freight, then we need to make sure that we get an effective rail freight service."

It was also important for Eurostar to win back customers, Mr Shirrefs said. The high-speed service saw passenger numbers drop by five per cent last year.

Business has been hit by a decline in tourism, competition from cheap airlines, and the difficult economic situation.

The opening of the first section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in September offered an ideal opportunity to start growing passenger numbers and rail freight.

"We've finally got a good piece of infrastructure so let's really make sure it gets used to its full potential."

Last year, Eurotunnel spent £4 million on security around its French terminal close to the former refugee centre at Sangatte.

But Mr Shirrefs questioned whether it should have been left to a private company alone to invest huge sums in security because of an international and national problem. He felt it should have been the Government's job.

Meanwhile, Eurotunnel reported that shuttle service income went up six per cent to £333m in the 12 months to December 31. Operating revenue went up from £557m to £570m as the underlying loss fell from £147m to £105m. Operating profit went up slightly to £194m (£188m in 2001).

The operator carried 1.23m trucks, 2.34m cars and 72,000 coaches in 2002. Only truck carryings were higher than the previous year.