The European Parliament’s Committee on Transport (TRAN) adopted on Tuesday 1 December, by an overwhelming majority (47 votes in favour, 1 against, 1 abstention) the final version of the own-initiative report by Jens Gieseke (EPP, Germany - see EUROPE 12552/3) on the revision of the guidelines for the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). A legislative proposal in this respect is indeed expected by the end of summer 2021 (see EUROPE 12607/17).
First of all, MEPs point out that it is imperative that the main sections of the TEN-T are completed on time.
It was expected that they would be able to operate at full capacity by 2030. However, the completion of the network is already significantly behind schedule (see EUROPE 12472/15), estimated at 11 years on average for some ‘mega-projects’ (see EUROPE 12507/18).
Priority should, according to the report, be given to the elimination of bottlenecks and missing links, the completion of cross-border sections and the modernisation and improvement of existing network sections on some of the corridors.
Member States “which have not yet sufficiently aligned their national transport plans and programmes with the objectives of the TEN-T” are therefore invited to remedy this “without undue delay”.
Better tracking. The adopted text also suggests that the delays could give rise to an enquiry into the progress of the project and a review of the financial support received under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
The Commission is also invited to strengthen its monitoring of the implementation of the TEN-T, in particular by making better use of the powers already conferred on it and by enhancing the role of the European coordinators in the governance of the corridors.
Stressing the importance of regular maintenance of infrastructures (see EUROPE 12599/14), “especially bridges and tunnels”, MEPs also call on the Commission to introduce a benchmark for infrastructure quality requirements and to develop a common approach to inspections.
A greener network. MEPs also stress the need to prioritise the full deployment of alternative fuels, including through the development of loading and refuelling infrastructure.
Emphasis is also placed on rail, and more specifically on the importance of supporting cross-border interoperability, improving safety, the competitiveness of the sector and the deployment of the European Railway Traffic Management System.
MEPs claim that the European Railway Agency (ERA) should be given a greater role in the implementation of the TEN-T and call for an increase in its budget for 2021.
In general, the text calls for increased investment at both national and European level.
Finally, MEPs reiterate the importance of maintaining the TEN-T links with the UK (see EUROPE 12593/21) and say that no major changes to the maps should be made until the core network is completed. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)