Venice, where cars are banned, may soon have a new underground railway and special red light districts for its prostitutes. The 'Venice Tube' would move thousands of tourists an hour between the mainland and the city centre in the Venetian lagoon. The plan has upset conservationists, who fear that old buildings, already threatened by floods, would be undermined by the tunnels. Added to this, many traditionalists believe the new tube would destroy the isolation and inherent magic of the city. Paolo Costa, the major, is reported to be seeking private-sector funding for a £90m system between Tessera airport to the former Arsenale shipyard, 15 minutes walk from St Marks square. The railway's backers believe the tube is the solution to the threats to Venice's survival; the waves from the boat traffic eat away at many buildings' foundations and the population has shrunk from 170,000 to 67,000 in 40 years. The red light districts are thought to have been proposed by the local council to enable prostitutes to operate safely, out of sight of residents. Vans would be sent to supply condoms, health care and coffee. Currently, many sex workers are based near the Venice railway station, sparking many demonstrations by residents.
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