UK Relating to the English Channel; to, from, or on the Continent; involving both Britain and the Continent, especially France
The intelligent ship-owner will rejoice to find, that in the partition of trade, which is the inevitable consequence of a state of peace, England still retains the lion's share; whilst for a fine weather and cross channel trade, our neighbours (to use a mariner's phrase) can put to sea in a hencoop, the superiority of our ships and crews secures a preference for British bottoms where dangers are to be run and risks surmounted.1834, Michael Thomas Sadler, “The Sadlerian School of Political Economy”, in Selections from the Edinburgh review, volume 6, page 154:
the Gauls, who carried on the cross-channel trade between Gaul and Britain, were the inhabitants of the northern coast.1858 (May 1) Notes & Queries, 2nd Series, v.122 p.349
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was it not worth while ... for the country to ... make Dover Harbour really safe and adequate ... they thereby greatly promoted the convenience and safety of the cross-Channel traffic1876 (May 23) Baron Carlingford, House of Commons, v229 c1108
With her graceful lines she is a fine example of the modern cross-channel steamer, and her interior arrangements are considerably superior to those of her predecessors.1939 June, G. W. Tripp, “The Modern Railway Steamer”, in Railway Magazine, page 392:
Montgomery to command the British land forces under Eisenhower in the cross-Channel invasion1951 October 29, “F.D.R.'s big decision”, in Life, page 76:
The continued growth of cross-Channel traffic, the urgent question of the renewal of the short-sea fleet of the B.T.C. and its installations, and the possible entry of Britain into the Common Market make an early decision on the tunnel highly desirable, if not vital.1961 December, “The Channel Tunnel—a realistic proposal”, in Trains Illustrated, page 722:
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Ireland, Dated, In UK Relating to the body of water between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland (the Irish Sea, Saint George's Channel, and the North Channel); to, from, or in the other of the two islands
Effect on the Revenue by the alteration of the Cross Channel Trade: The Acts of last Session of Parliament in regard to the removal of foreign goods between Great Britain and Ireland...1825 (February 24) House of Lords Sessional Papers, v.120: Tenth report of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the Collection and Management of the Revenue arising in Ireland, Scotland, etc. p.233
the complete freedom given to general commercial intercourse, by which the cross-channel trade was made, by 6th Geo. 4th c. 107, a coasting-trade; and the intercourse with Ireland was left as unrestricted as that between London and Newcastle.1834 (April 23) Thomas Spring Rice, House of Commons, v22 c1208
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Arriving in Dublin from the Cross Channel steamer1940 (June), Norman Somerville, The Rotarian, "Rotary in a Confused World", p.7
The Central Statistics Office publishes annual figures on the estimated total earnings from all visits to Ireland. These figures include a breakdown into the following categories for overseas travel routes: air cross-channel, sea cross-channel, continental and transatlantic.2005 (November 29) Tom Kitt, Dáil Éireann, v611 c8
2008 (January 23) Tommy Marren, Western People "All-Ireland League could be soccer’s saviour" Our fascination for cross-channel soccer never ceases to amaze me. We head to places like Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and even Elland Road week in week out in our droves to support teams that have little or no Irish involvement yet we find little or no attraction in attending matches in the eircom League that are virtually on our doorstep.
cross channel
noun
Etymology cross + channel
1
A minor channel connecting two larger channels running parallel to each other
the Sulina, which runs on from the Danube in an eastern direction, forming, with the Kilia and a cross channel between the two arms, the deltoid islands of Lete and Chatel or Tchetal1866, Charles Knight, The English cyclopaedia, volume 1, page 1068:
2
A cross- current
The channel across the Sandness is formed by the action of the seas, with winds from north-easterly and easterly points, throwing up the sand and obstructing the ebbing current in its progress to sea... My idea of the best mode of stopping the present cross channel, is to drive a double row of sheeting piles at the distance of about 30 feet from each other ...1818 (March 9) Second Report, Tidal Harbours Commission App.C, Supp.2, No.12 (John Rennie); p.18 (in Sessional Papers of the House of Lords, Vol.48)