Brussels, 30/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 30 July, the European Commission adopted Italy's operational programme on “infrastructure and networks” that will receive €1.84 billion in funding. This programme targets three priority sectors: the railway network, port infrastructure and smart transport systems.
The programme is co-financed to the tune of €1.38 billion from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Its first priority is to develop sustainable intermodal modes of transport as part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) (see EUROPE 11346).
The programme has therefore outlined two priorities: supporting the single European transport area to the tune of just over €1 billion (62% of the total EU budget) and contribute to the introduction of less polluting and less noisy transport systems, by developing the river network and maritime transport. Emphasis will also be on the modernisation of port and airport infrastructure, whilst focusing on expanding sustainable local and regional transport options.
The Commission is also hoping to increase per capita freight tonnage from 11.8 t to 23.6 t for each 100 inhabitants and the daily number of trains from 80 to 200, whilst reducing the journey time of the main railway journeys on the Naples-Bari and Catania-Palermo railway lines. The aim is also to cut clearance times by half and increase port business activity.
Italy is one of the member states experiencing difficulties in absorbing European funds for 2007-2013 (see EUROPE 11331). As we go to press, absorption rates in the southern regions were between 62.7% in the Campania region and 71.5% in the Basilicata region. These results are below the European average of 82.3%. (Pascal Hansens)