# CE2004084EN.01050201.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/502 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/502

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(2004/C 84 E/0580)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3171/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 October 2003)

Subject:   Progress towards completion of the Athens tramway

Subject:

Recently grave concern has been expressed in the Greek press regarding progress made towards completion of the Athens tramway with reports indicating that, although work is well behind schedule, contractors are reneging on their undertakings regarding increased manning levels on the project. It appears highly unlikely that the work will be completed in time for the Olympic Games and alternative solutions are already being considered, including a reduction in the number of tram stops, to cover increased demand over this period. Furthermore, the scheduled tram route from the centre to the coast will encounter dozens of crossings and it is not at all clear how the traffic lights will be regulated so as to give it priority, the preferred solution appearing to be the stationing of traffic police at those points where tram and automobile meet!

| 1. | In view of the fact that funding has been earmarked for the tramway project under the third CSF, what view does the Commission take of progress made? |
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1.

In view of the fact that funding has been earmarked for the tramway project under the third CSF, what view does the Commission take of progress made?

| 2. | What information does the Commission have concerning the issues being raised by the Greek press? |
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2.

What information does the Commission have concerning the issues being raised by the Greek press?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-3170/03 and E-3171/03

given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 2003)

(4 December 2003)

The Commission knows about the articles in the Greek press on delays in construction of the Athens Suburban Railway and the Athens Tramway.

The decision to grant European financial assistance for these two projects (included in the 3rd Community Support Framework for Greece) followed a very positive assessment of the benefits they would afford the Attica Region and a finding that they could be completed during the present programming period (2000 to 2006). Completion in time for the 2004 Olympic Games would significantly improve public transport facilities during them but was not imposed as a condition for granting assistance.

Our information is that the delay in construction of the Doukissis Plakentias-SKA stretch of the railway track has been caused by problems of compatibility between the basic infrastructure put in place by the Attica Highway authorities and the technical specifications of the railway line, which is to lie between the two carriageways of the Highway. These problems do not affect the section between the Airport and Doukissis Plakentias, which is of particular importance for the Olympic Games.

In the case of the Tramway the delay appears to be a limited one affecting only the line between the city centre and the sea. The line along the seafront, the more important one for the Olympic Games, is apparently progressing as scheduled. It is of course important that when the Tramway comes into operation all necessary safety requirements are met.

We do not consider that the delays that have occurred up to now threaten completion of the railway project and the two tramway lines during the present Structural Fund programming period.

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