Brussels, 08/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - UK transport players, encouraged by MEP Brian Simpson (S&D), chairman of the parliamentary transport committee, have no intention of sidelining themselves in the European transport strategy. At a forum organised by UK Transport in Europe (UKTiE) in the European Parliament on Tuesday 8 November, Simpson urged them “to be at the centre of transport policy, innovation and implementation and be proactive not reactive to what is going on, and go beyond the barrier that used to be the Channel”.
How is the White Paper to be interpreted? Simpson, just like Jacqueline Foster (ECR, UK), spoke frankly of the institutional agenda for transport policy. He wanted to make it clear to the UK transport industry that the White Paper was not just another raft of initiatives from Brussels but opened genuine, broader discussion on mobility. He appreciated the Commission's intention not to reduce mobility. He noted, however, that “in the next decade, strong actions need to be taken if we don't want to see mobility curbs if we keep the path we are going through at the moment”. Where the White Paper hits true, Simpson said, is on the need to “reconcile the need for growth and social inclusion and sustainability objectives”.
Foster said that the White Paper brings together ideas, but does not, at this stage, propose further regulation. This is a plus point, in her eyes, as she is against a surfeit of legislation and said that, as an MEP, her role is to promote jobs, not to “over-regulate” the industry. She would have liked the Commission to have given equal and fair attention to all transport modes, when rail is on everyone's lips.
Rail package nightmare. With regard to the railways, both MEPs said things were a nightmare. Simpson, a big fan of the railways, could not hide his annoyance at the lack of interoperability in the sector: “We are in 2011, not 1911, but still running with legislation from 1911, and you can't cross a border with the same train”. He will, however, support the recast of the rail package, despite the failings in the amended text. Foster does not intend to vote for the text next week in plenary session. Though divided on this point, the two MEPs concluded in similar fashion: they will always provide an attentive ear in Brussels for the UK transport industry. A little earlier, however, Simpson regretted the danger of voting along national lines on the recast of the rail package. (MD/transl.rt)