91998E1930

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1930/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(18 June 1998)

Subject: High-speed train line upgrading work

With reference to my previous Questions E-0508/97(1) and E-2352/97(2), and especially in the light of the first reply from Mrs Bjierregaard announcing measures aimed at ensuring compliance with the relevant Community legislation, it should be pointed out that, to date, no substantial changes have been made to the work planned for the Rome-Naples high-speed train link, the nearby inhabitants have not been involved as required by Directive 85/337/EEC(3) and no environmental impact assessment has been carried out. Furthermore, the work connected with, and the construction of, the high-speed train line in the Rome area, especially in the "La Rustica" and "Casal Bertone" districts, will be a source of considerable nuisance that will include noise pollution, pollution from emissions of dust and chemical substances, and prolonged high levels of vibration as a result of the extreme proximity of the high-speed train line to houses. All these phenomena will damage the quality of life in the district, perhaps irreversibly, and the accompanying measures aimed at offsetting the effects of the project are likely to be inadequate, resulting in traffic congestion. In addition, it appears that in many cases the necessary demolition work has not taken the required safety and anti-pollution measures into account.

In view of the above, can the Commission say:

1. whether, in the meantime, further approaches have been made to the Italian authorities to request compliance with Community legislation?

2. whether it considers it appropriate to take further steps aimed at requesting substantial changes to the plans for a high-speed train line in the areas referred to?

3. whether the Lit 700 billion loan from the EIB granted for the section of the high-speed line at issue should not be made subject to full compliance with Community legislation.

4. what its overall views on this matter are?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to her Written Question No 578/98(4).

The circumstances reported by the Honourable Member add no element of legal relevance in respect to the application of Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.

Upon appraisal of the Rome-Naples high speed train link project, the European investment bank (EIB) applied its current environmental standards set out in its environmental policy statement. In line with these, the project is in compliance with all national as well as relevant Community directives.

(1) OJ C 391, 23.12.1997, p. 15.

(2) OJ C 187, 16.6.1998, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

(4) OJ C 386, 11.12.1998, p. 26.