Brussels, 09/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday the Commission decided to send Austria a reasoned opinion. Austria is planning to ban heavy goods vehicles carrying certain goods from a section of the A12 motorway in the Tyrol from 1 August 2003. The Austrian authorities have ten days to respond. If they do not, or if their reply is unsatisfactory, the Commission may decide to bring the matter before the Court of Justice.
The Commission launched infringement proceedings two weeks ago on the grounds that the ban would be discriminatory and hamper the free movement of goods in the internal market. The Commission comments that the information provided by the Austrian Government since the launch of the proceedings “is insufficient” (see EUROPE of 25 June, p.10).