Brussels, 18/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The chair of the parliamentary committee on transport, Brian Simpson (S&D, UK), has expressed his regret that MEPs have not been able to work towards sustainable urban development in this parliament. He spoke on the matter at a conference held on the subject by Sustainable 2 Wheels, before the European Parliament on Wednesday 18 September, as part of Mobility Week. He pointed out that he was still waiting for the urban mobility package due to be proposed by the European Commission before the end of this year. He added that it would be hard to reach a “delicate balance” between European legislation on the subject and the free rein given to local authorities to promote sustainable mobility.
MEP Michael Cramer (Germany), Greens spokesperson on transport issues, also said that, if mobility in cities did not change, it would be impossible to act against climate change. To do this, he stressed the need to “stop investing in roads” and to promote the use of bicycles and public transport. (MD/transl.fl)