Brussels, 30/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 30 September, the European Commission adopted the action plan for urban mobility. The plan proposes neither the new funding instruments advocated by the European Parliament (see EUROPE 9830), nor derogation to the principle of subsidiarity. It presents a series of measures that should be set in place by 2012 for towns that hope to develop more environmentally-friendly transport policies that are more accessible to their users and create more flowing traffic conditions. Among other things, the plan announces the publication, by 2012, of guidelines for goods transport in urban areas as well as guidelines on intelligent transport systems for urban mobility. It also provides the setting in place of an observatory on urban mobility by the end of the year. In the form of an internet portal on public transport, this would facilitate the sharing of information and best practice, as well as provide statistics and data on urban transport. In 2012, the Commission will examine implementation of the present action plan and determine whether it is necessary to set new measures in place.
This is a major response given by the Commission to requests made by citizens via the European town network, Forum Civitas, and the European Parliament, Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani told the press. During a joint conference with representatives from the towns of Budapest, Cologne and Valencia, he stressed how important it was to have a coherent transport policy in towns. “Towns are not islands in the desert”, they are “strategic points” of our communication system, he said, underlining the fact that future policies should find answers to congestion problems, the large number of accidents and atmospheric pollution. “Forty percent of CO2 emissions and 70% of polluting emissions come from road transport in towns”, Mr Tajani said. He nonetheless placed emphasis on the voluntary nature of the Community action plan. “This is an action plan that perfectly respects the term 'subsidiarity'. (…) The European Commission wants to help towns that freely wish to collaborate so that they may improve traffic conditions and the quality of life of the public”, he said.
Announced by the Green Paper on urban mobility for 2008, the action plan has long been delayed, mainly due to Germany's opposition to greater Commission involvement on this matter. As adopted, the plan comprises 20 commitments. In addition to those already mentioned, the Commission provides for a study on access to green areas or environmental protection zones, the promotion of action aimed at adopting urban mobility plans in towns, an internet guide on “green” cars, a database on best policies, and strengthening of dialogue at international level with the opening up of Forum Civitas to the towns and regions of the Mediterranean, Africa and Eastern Europe. (A.By./transl.jl)