Brussels, 24/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Working from a compromise drafted by the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council, the delegations from the European Parliament (EP) and the Council reached an informal second reading agreement on Monday 23 May on the draft revised Eurovignette directive, resolving the problem of how revenue from the duties is to be allocated. The agreement still has to be confirmed by the committee of permanent representatives (COREPER) and the EP committee, both of which are due to convene on Wednesday 25 May. As the Council wished, member states should, but will not be required to, allocate the revenue from charges (both external and infrastructure costs) to transport sector projects (such as secure car parks). Alternatively, they may allocate at least 15% of revenue to trans-European network (TEN-T) projects. However, the use of revenue must be totally transparent: at the request of the EP, member states will be required to detail the total revenue and the projects to which it is allocated. Aggregation of mark-ups in mountainous areas and dues for external costs will be allowed for the most heavily polluting lorries (classes EURO 0-2 and EURO-3, from 2015). Income thus generated must compulsorily go to projects of European interest defined in TEN-T legislation. Variation on infrastructure dues allowed to cover congestion costs has been set at 175% for a period of not more than five hours. (A.By./transl.rt)