Brussels, 22/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - After the conference on the future of urban transport, which was held in Grenoble on 18 January, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) has published a draft opinion on the Green Paper on urban transport, which was adopted by the European Commission on 25 September 2007 (see EUROPE 9509).
In its policy recommendations, the draft opinion calls on the EU to establish a more comprehensive strategy. The text acknowledges the role played by the regions and cities. Although urban transport has hitherto been the preserve of regional and national policies, the text appears to acknowledge the Commission's input and encourages it in several areas. Thus, the text recommends the Commission to establish a way of calculating the overall cost and benefits of the various forms of transport. The Commission is also invited to select “exemplary cities” and “demonstration cities” to encourage cities to lead the way in terms of good practice, while highlighting that “cross-border implementation is desirable”.
One of the issues raised by the Green Paper is group purchasing. How can “green” public procurement by groups of authorities be encouraged, the Green Paper wonders? Today group purchasing is virtually impossible, especially in the environmental area. The draft opinion urges the Commission to encourage actions which facilitate the award of public contracts to promote “calm areas” (open areas free from pollution). The text also encourages good environmental public procurement practice.
The draft opinion lays great stress on the lack of means, preventing cities putting this type of measure into practice. The Commission is called on to allocate additional resources when it re-assesses its budget in 2008-2009. The urban mobility action plan, based on the Green Paper, is scheduled for autumn 2008.
The text by rapporteur Albert Bore (PES, UK), a member of Birmingham City Council, is, of course, still only a draft. There may yet be amendments. It is due to be adopted at the CoR plenary session on 6-7 February. (L.B.S.)