92003E0345

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0345/03

by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Council

(5 February 2003)

Subject: HGV transit problems

After the so far very unsatisfactory attempts to solve the Europe-wide HGV transit problem, which has extremely serious repercussions, particularly in the Alps, with their special environmental and geographical characteristics, there are now a great many protest campaigns in the offing, organised by outraged citizens in the areas concerned.

Can the Council understand the protesters' motivation, and what specific steps is it currently thinking of taking?

Reply

(21 July 2003)

The Council is very well aware of the problems relating to the Europe-wide transit of heavy goods vehicles, including that of the transit through the Alps. This awareness stems from the discussions and negotiations devoted during the year 2002 to this overall problem and in particular to the closely linked proposed Regulation aiming to establish a transitional transit system through Austria for the year 2004 (COD 2001/0310), not only at numerous Council meetings but also at the European Council in Copenhagen, including the Council meeting (Transport formation) in Brussels on 31 December 2002 dedicated to this very issue. On this basis, the Council is well informed on the protesters' motivation referred to by the Honourable Member.

As regards future steps which the Council intends to undertake, the Council informs the Honourable Parliamentarian that it is now considering the opinion of the European Parliament on the proposed Regulation in question. Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that the Council is awaiting the Commission's initiatives with respect to the charging of infrastructure. Such a system, when applied to the different modes of transport on a Community-wide basis, and when applied in a more transparent way taking into account the external cost by the traffic, should constitute the appropriate framework for addressing the overall problem of the HGV transit throughout the Community, including the particular situations such as the transit through the Alps, as referred to by the Honourable Member.