Brussels, 12/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - Commenting on the postponement of the vote on revising the lorry weights and dimensions directive on 10 February, rapporteur Jörg Leichtfried (S&D, Austria) expressed his regret that there still had not been any compromise but that neither should there be a rush into a decision on such a politically sensitive issue. He told EUROPE: “I have to say that, if the Commission had prepared an appropriate impact assessment before formulating this proposal, we would not be in such a dilemma now”.
Compromise. Speaking at an EP transport committee on Tuesday 11 February, he pointed out that a “reasonable” compromise on cross-border mega truck traffic was within reach and could be obtained by the end of the month. The vote is planned for the Parliamentary committee meeting on 18 March, in order to ensure a vote at the April plenary. Technical compromises on safety and the question of weight sensors have already been agreed. Leichtfried affirmed that “we almost obtained a compromise on the weights and dimensions of lorries and other cross-border aspects”.
No delay. The rapporteur also discouraged any attempt to postpone this dossier to the next legislature. He stated that “we will have another transport commissioner who will perhaps not be as favourable to opening up the borders and I will perhaps no longer be the rapporteur on this dossier and this wouldn't help things at all”. (MD/transl.fl)