91998E3847

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3847/98

by Manuel Escolá Hernando (ARE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Inclusion of Zaragoza airport in the Madrid-Zaragoza high-speed rail link

The 14 priority trans-European transport network projects adopted at the Essen European Council include the construction of the southern European high-speed rail link between Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Perpignan and Montpellier.

The construction of this link will reduce the journey time between Zaragoza and both Madrid and Barcelona from the current three and a half hours to a little over one hour and fifteen minutes, which will have the effect of bringing those cities considerably closer together.

The possibility is currently being discussed of routeing the new rail link via Zaragoza airport, which would strengthen the intermodal aspect of the project. At the same time, more business would be attracted to an under-used airport and some of the pressure on the airspace around Madrid and Barcelona would be relieved.

Does the Commission consider this kind of synergy between a European rail transport network and an airport to be in line with the proposals for strengthening intermodal transport networks which have been advocated by the EU Institutions?

Does it regard the proposal as an interesting one? If so, how could it help to make it a reality? Are there similar projects within the European Union which could serve as a model for the one in Aragon?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 1999)

The Commission gives a high policy priority to furthering transport intermodality. In the context of the availability of financial assistance from the trans-European transport network budget line therefore the connection of airports to the rail network is seen as a desirable objective. However, it is normally felt to be most appropriate as a means of offering passenger choice and alleviating congestion at relatively large airports. Certainly the endorsement of the authorities in the Member State for any such project is legally essential for the Commission to consider an application for support.

That does not mean that the encouragement of such developments at regional and accessibility points such as Zaragoza is ruled out, if they offer an economically and environmentally attractive potential. The Commission has recently commissioned a study of the contribution which regional airports may be able to make to releving congestion at major hubs.