Brussels, 03/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - In a report published on Tuesday 3 March, the European Court of Auditors criticised the fact that there had been “no significant improvements” to the Europe river network over the past 15 years.
In its 2001 and 2011 Transport White Papers, the European Commission expressed its commitment to increase the rail and river network share of the transport market, two modes of transport that are less polluting and cheaper than road transport. A 30% target for freight at medium distances by rail and river in 2030 was set out. Nonetheless, according to the Court, the share of transport by the inland waterways has barely evolved at all: 6.4% in 2001, compared to 6.7% in 2012.
The report authors indicate two causes. Firstly, an insufficient number of projects carried out by member states which “paid little attention to this mode of transport”. Only 35% of projects presented in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) involved the river network. Consequently, only 5 out of 47 bottlenecks identified in 2006 had been eliminated by 2012. Secondly, the Court identifies a lack of strategic vision on the subject, due to the absence of a comprehensive and sustained European analysis. No study has been able to calculate what the exact benefits would be in terms of road traffic reduction or the elimination of bottlenecks. A problem that is even more serious involves the fact that the exact amount of funding needed to complete the river network has not been made available to the member states.
The Court therefore recommends that member states and the Commission focus on providing “the greatest and most immediate benefits”. The Commission is also expected to conclude a thoroughgoing analysis and then reach an agreement with the member states on “specific and achievable objectives”. (Jean Comte)