# CE2004088EN.01014701.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/147 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/147

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(2004/C 88 E/0156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3462/03

by Helmuth Markov (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(21 November 2003)

Subject:   Plans for weight restrictions at the Guben-Gubinek border crossing and EU funds

Subject:

The district of Spree-Neisse (in Brandenburg Land, Federal Republic of Germany) intends to restrict the total weight of vehicles crossing the border at Guben-Gubinek to 20 tons. This restriction on goods transport is to apply in one direction only — Germany to Poland — and will create a range of problems for the local economy. The Guben-Gubinek border crossing at Schlagsdorf was also set up with EU funding. On the exporting side, therefore, part of the funding invested by the EU will be practically worthless. In addition, such a unilateral restriction is contrary to the spirit of the EU funding, the intention being to promote goods transport between the accession countries and the EU.

The Commission:

| — | what view does it take of the restriction on goods transport at the Guben-Gubinek border crossing in the light of the EU funding used to set up that crossing; |
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what view does it take of the restriction on goods transport at the Guben-Gubinek border crossing in the light of the EU funding used to set up that crossing;

| — | can it take measures against this restriction and, if so, will it; |
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can it take measures against this restriction and, if so, will it;

| — | what form might/will those measures take? |
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what form might/will those measures take?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2004)

(9 January 2004)

The PHARE Programme cofinanced the border post of Gubinek, which is for goods traffic only and is located beside the border post of Gubin reserved for passenger traffic. The cofinanced work was completed in 1998.

It is true that on the German side in the direction of Poland goods traffic has been restricted on Thursdays and Fridays to heavy goods vehicles under 20 tonnes. This decision was taken because, on the German side, there is as yet no alternative route around the town so that, at the moment, all heavy goods traffic has to pass through the town. The inhabitants of the German town complained to the competent German authorities and asked for traffic restrictions to be introduced. The restrictions were the subject of an agreement between the German and Polish authorities.

Work on the alternative route on the German side has already begun and should be completed next year. The restrictions are therefore only temporary. On the Polish side, there is already an alternative route so no such problems are expected. For these reasons, the Commission does not consider that the funds invested were ill spent.

As to the actual restrictions, current Community legislation does not cover prohibitions on traffic. Taking into account the fact that the temporary restriction is a one-off occurrence and is based on sound road safety and environmental protection criteria, the Commission does not believe any action is called for.

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