Brussels, 02/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the opinion of Michel Delebarre (PES, France) on the European Railway package on 28 January, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) is demanding that adjustments be made to the Commission proposals in this field. CoR regrets that there is no obligation on member states to consult with local and regional authorities when elaborating national development strategies for infrastructure, particularly when it is the regional authorities that often have to financially contribute to funding infrastructure, such as in the case of regional railway stations.
In a press release, the CoR emphasises that it is not just appealing for “more of a regional orientation” but that it is also defending “more integration” through arbitration powers allocated to the European Railway Agency, in the sphere of certification and implementation of a European railway regulator's committee. At a more operational level, the CoR is highlighting the strategic nature of transporting goods between ports and inland, which should therefore benefit from certain priorities when networks reach saturation point. The CoR is also against setting up a single fund for all transport financial instruments. (G.B./transl.fl)