TEN-T REVISION: EP SUPPORTS AN AMBITIOUS TEN-T REGULATION
On 13 April, the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee of the European Parliament adopted its report on the revision of the Regulation on the Trans-European Network (TEN-T). The two Co-Rapporteurs Barbara Thaler (EPP, AT) and Dominique Riquet (Renew, FR), along with the Shadow Rapporteurs, negotiated a comprehensive set of compromise amendments. CLECAT welcomes the high level of ambition shown by TRAN.
Among the key decisions made, the Committee decided to prioritize rail, inland waterways, and short-sea shipping for intermodal transport, while allowing road transport for initial and/or final legs only. The committee believes that investments in electrifying the core TEN-T network will enable faster freight trains, with speeds of up to 100 km/h. To optimize supply chains, seamless and fast border crossing procedures are crucial, and the goal is to achieve rail border crossings within 15 minutes by the end of 2030.
The report advocates for unified technical and operational standards for each transport mode pf transport. This should translate into fully electrified railways in the core TEN-T network, running with at least 100 km/h cargo trains, which could cross internal EU borders in less than 15 minutes by the end of 2030. CLECAT is particularly pleased with the introduction of an earlier deadline for the completion of safe and secure parking areas, (on the core and extended core network), requiring member states to meet the requirements by 31 December 2030 (instead of 2040)
MEPs also reaffirmed the need to complete by the end of 2030 the core TEN-T network and by the end of 2050 the comprehensive network, focusing particularly on eliminating bottlenecks and missing links and better empowering 11 European Coordinators. In order to have a quick roll-out of these projects, MEPs support the introduction of an intermediary deadline on 31 December 2040. In the event of a significant delay, TRAN suggests that the Commission should launch an infringement procedure and reduce or terminate funding.
The report is expected to be adopted by the European Parliament in plenary next week. Inter-institutional negotiations with the Council will begin soon after.