Brussels, 17/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - A delegation from the Seine-Nord Europe association met Commissioners Loyola de Palacio (Transport) and Michel Barnier (regional policy on Wednesday to put their case for the "Seine-Escaut" canal to be included in the priority projects to be carried out under the proposed revision of the guidelines for trans-European transport networks (TETNs) to be presented in the autumn by the Commission. "Ms de Palacio has expressed an interest in the project", said Philippe Marini, chairman of the association, adding that the ball was in the French government's court.
This project, which will link the Seine to the Escaut via a broad-gauge canal 105 km in length, was not retained in the report by the Van Miert group in list 1- the 18 priority projects to be completed by 2020- but in list 2- 4 priority projects to be completed over the longer term, as the Member States in question did not agree on funding or the plans (EUROPE of 1 July, p.8). Its promoters believe it answer the criteria for list 1- it will link the Paris region with northern Europe (Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, countries of central and eastern Europe), and offer an alternative to road transport (especially for the transportation of goods). According to the organisation's funding plan, the project will costs 2.6 billion EUR: 1,040 billion to be paid for by the French state, 520 million by local authorities, 435 million from Community funding and 600 million borrowed from the private sector over 40 years and to be recouped by toll charges. The association believes that the project will take eight years to complete.
The promoters therefore intend to bring pressure to bear on the French government to defend the project at the Commission. It should "express its enthusiasm" for the project, explains Mr Marini, and react quickly. The Commission is indeed expecting proposals from the Member States for the selection of priority projects in a few weeks, he explains. This is why they are asking the French government to start pre-project studies this year, which are a condition for the inclusion of a project in list 1, to allow the canal to be opened by 2012.