91999E0765

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0765/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Construction of new rail link between Lianokladi and Domokos

There are reportedly two proposals for a new rail link between Lianokladi and Domokos, one comprising a tunnel of 23 kilometres at a total cost of DRS 260 billion and the other which provides for an 11 kilometre tunnel with the rest of the line overground at a total cost of Drs 160 billion. In addition, under the second proposal, the new railway station for Lamia would be situated at a distance of 2 kilometres from the centre of the town, whereas under the first proposal, the existing station at Lianokladi would continue to serve the town of Lamia, which is 9 kilometres away.

The Commission:

1. Is aware of the proposed options for the construction of the rail link between Lianokladi and Domokos?

2. What are its views on the cost and social benefit of the proposals?

3. What is its estimate of the probable total duration of the work?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1999)

The Commission is aware of the various proposals for the new railway line between Lamia or Lianokladi, and Domokos. This section of the main Athens-Thessaloniki railway line is mountainous and the projected new railway line will undoubtedly be very expensive and technically very difficult.

With this in mind the Monitoring Committee for the Railways Operational Programme for the period 1994-99, which is part-funding the studies of the section in question, decided at the beginning of 1999 to study the proposals before taking any decision.

The Greek authorities are currently preparing this study so that the alternative routes can be effectively compared from the technical, economic and social standpoints. This phase should finish towards the end of this year or in early 2000, so allowing the final decisions to be taken in time for the next programming period in 2000-06.