92002E1924

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1924/02

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE)and Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: Construction work on the Puxeiros-Tui motorway (Galicia)

On 7 March 2002 a complaint was forwarded to the Commission by the association of residents affected by the work on the A9 motorway in Galicia, relating to the stretch Mos Porriño/Salceda de Caselas/Tui (i.e. the interchange for Rebullón and the Portuguese border). One of the objections made was that the construction work was not preceded by the mandatory environmental impact assessment. This has led to major problems, especially with regard to the accumulation of river water, since the transversal drainage tubes for the road surface have not been correctly positioned. The defective evacuation of these tubes is causing flooding, spillage, sedimentation and other disturbances, with grave consequences for crops and housing and for the lives of residents.

The complainants further state that the lack of an environmental impact assessment means that no account has been taken of the considerable increase in noise pollution.

Can the Commission provide information on the action taken so far on the above complaint?

Does the Commission not consider that this motorway construction project falls within the scope of Directive 97/11/EC(1) and that an environmental impact assessment should therefore have been mandatorily carried out?

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure the protection of the local inhabitants, who could be affected by water pollution arising from sedimentation generated by the construction work, with its inadequate drainage system? Does the Commission not consider that seepage and spillage risks exist with respect to the aquatic environment, and that these risks could be in breach of the provisions of Directive 80/68/EEC(2) on the protection of groundwater and Directive 76/464/EEC(3) on discharge of dangerous substances into the aquatic environment?

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

(2) OJ L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43.

(3) OJ L 129, 18.5.1976, p. 23.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 August 2002)

The Commission was unaware of the situation reported by the Honourable Members and did not in fact receive the complaint mentioned by them until after receiving this written question and the accompanying annexes.

Given the information available, the Commission cannot at this stage issue an opinion as to whether the directives referred to in the written question have been contravened and has, therefore, registered the complaint with a view to obtaining further information on the matter.