Resolution of the Committee of the Regions on a 'European Charter of regional and local authorities for a progressive and sustainable transport policy` (98/C 251/03)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to its bureau's decisions on 17 September 1997 and 18 February 1998, under Article 198 c of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to draw up a resolution on a European Charter of regional and local authorities for a progressive and sustainable transport policy, to direct Commission 3 - Transport and Communications Networks - to prepare this text;

having regard to the draft resolution (CdR 347/97 rev.) adopted by Commission 3 on 13 November 1997 (rapporteurs: Mr Weingartner and Mr Zaplana);

having regard to its experience to date, during its first term in office, with work on the transport sector and transport policy;

having regard to the findings of the series of seminars organized in conjunction with the European Commission on the contribution of Europe's regional and local authorities to an integrated, efficient and environmentally-friendly transport system in Europe;

having regard to the ten guiding principles formulated on this subject in the own-initiative opinion on a comprehensive and coherent transport strategy for regions/local authorities and the European Union (CdR 255/97 fin),

has adopted unanimously at its 23rd plenary session (meeting of 14 May) the following resolution.

The Committee of the Regions

supports a European Charter of regional and local authorities for a progressive and sustainable transport policy and will do everything in its power to attain the charter's objectives;

calls on its President to forward the charter to the competent government and institutional representatives and use his influence to get it implemented.

Brussels, 14 May 1998.

The Chairman of the Committee of the Regions

Manfred DAMMEYER

APPENDIX to the opinion on the Committee of the Regions

European Charter of regional and local authorities for a progressive and sustainable transport policy

1. Role of the regional and local authorities in transport policy

1.1. The European Union's regional and local authorities note that the economic progress made in recent centuries and the high level of prosperity in our society are due in no small measure to the transport network at our disposal and the transport system developed to go with it, to which local and regional authorities have also contributed.

1.2. The regional and local authorities would point out, however, that the damage caused in some regions by the sharp growth in traffic has already reached breaking point and has even gone beyond that point in some cases. The possibilities available to the regional and local authorities for countering this damage are limited despite the fact that they contribute financially because the European Community and Member States lay down the general provisions governing transport policy, while the regions are often given the task of merely implementing these provisions.

1.3. The political representatives of the regional and local authorities would emphasize in this context that the public gives them the main blame for transport problems and expects them to find the solutions.

1.4. The majority of the European Union's regional and local authorities are responsible for land-use planning and can therefore determine the location of residential areas and areas of economic activity in relation to transport infrastructure. They should, however, be given increased decision-making powers regarding the extent to which their areas are opened up to traffic and guarantees as to mobility and accessibility for all their citizens.

1.5. In a number of Member States regional and local authorities have responsibilities for repairing the damage caused by transport accidents. They should, however, be given additional direct responsibility for transport safety.

2. Objectives of transport policy

2.1. The European Union's regional and local authorities recognize the importance of transport for the economy, well-being, and freedom of the population. The objective must therefore be to preserve sustainable mobility of persons and free movement of goods, while still making due allowance for the general social and environmental framework.

2.2. In view of the never-ending increase in traffic, the regional and local authorities would point out that it is absolutely necessary to provide the general public and the environment with the best possible protection against its adverse consequences.

2.3. The regional and local authorities realize that the general public throughout the Community must enjoy the same level of protection and safety. However, differentiated measures are required if the level enjoyed in all regions and localities is to be the same. Regional differences must be taken into consideration when transport policy is determined at national and Community level.

2.4. The regional and local authorities are convinced that the approach to a modern transport policy must be interdisciplinary and based on partnership. The aim must therefore be to ensure that all local/regional authorities, interest groups and other institutions with responsibilities for transport and transport operations are involved in the decision-making processes at an early stage.

2.5. The regional and local authorities think that if today's transport problems are to be mastered, it is vital to adopt a policy approach that is based to a much greater degree than in the past on solutions which embrace all modes and systems.

3. Basic principles governing a progressive and sustainable transport policy

3.1. Subsidiarity

Since it is advisable to solve transport problems at the level best suited for that purpose, the EU's regions and localities must be involved more closely in devising measures and solutions.

3.2. Improving the quality of life

Transport policy should seek to achieve an optimal balance between quality of life, citizens' overall mobility and environmental protection, and the economic objectives it serves.

3.3. Pan-European transport infrastructure

The various modes of transport require an adequate and effective structure both within the EU and as regards its connections with third countries. Priority must be given within this structure to the more environmentally-compatible modes of transport such as the railways, coastal shipping, inland waterways (rivers, canals) and maritime transport. These should be able to make use of cross-subsidizing from tax revenue on other, less environmentally-friendly, modes.

3.4. Payment of full costs

Apart from its internal costs, which may be passed on, each mode of transport must also be gradually made to pay its external and/or social costs. In the case of goods transport, the principle of the shortest route should be enforced by using costs as a regulatory instrument.

3.5. Sustainability

Transport policy calls for the development of a sustainable, environmentally-compatible transport system which satisfies social, economic, environmental and safety needs and helps to bridge the social and economic differences between regions.

3.6. Quality of transport

Safety and reliability as well as accessibility and affordability are sine qua nons for transport users and clients in both the passenger and goods transport sectors.

3.7. Competition and efficiency

Measures taken with regard to transport structures and the handling of transport operations must help to improve the competitive position and efficiency of the transport system in terms of overall mobility in the service of the citizen and industry. This concerns, for example, the liberalization of rail transport and the associated opening-up of the network.

3.8. Closeness to the citizen

The public's acceptance of individual transport projects is of vital importance. Closeness to the citizen therefore means that transport policy decisions must take account of the interests and expectations of ordinary people (consumers, transport users and other interested parties).

3.9. Intermodality

An optimum transport system depends on the ability and willingness of the different modes to cooperate at local, regional, national and European level. The list of relevant transport modes must expressly include shipping (both inland waterway and maritime).

3.10. Intelligent technology

Since modern technology helps to make better use of existing infrastructure capacity and to improve safety levels, it is necessary to exploit the systems already available and to promote and press ahead with R& D.

4. Necessities and demands with regard to transport policy

The Committee of the Regions

notes that local and regional authorities have a number of powers in the field of land-use planning and transport regulation. Greater use should be made in future of these powers in order to (a) build suitable feeder links connecting residential areas and areas of economic activity to the public transport infrastructure, thereby avoiding or reducing traffic at least in part and (b) take regulatory action to reduce the need to travel, to find other means of transport besides the private car and to reduce the burdens on the general public and the environment;

points out that national governments lay down the basic principles of transport policy, which as a rule coincide to a large extent with the ideas of local and regional authorities. However, the COR notes that there are serious shortcomings when it comes to implementing the designated objectives and measures, and therefore urges Member States' governments to take more account of the initiatives and proposals of regional and local authorities. Transport is largely a local and regional matter. It is therefore extremely important that national transport policy should set up coordinated planning machinery, where account can be taken of local and regional political influence;

praises the efforts of the European Commission, which has recently produced a large number of fundamental studies mapping out the course to be steered by a forward-looking and sustainable transport policy for both the EU and the neighbouring countries of central and eastern Europe. It therefore calls on the Commission to pursue this policy and to do everything in its power to ensure that the objectives set can be achieved as swiftly as possible at Community level, too;

welcomes the fact that the European Parliament is now also able to consult the Committee of the Regions, and trusts that the Parliament will make use of this possibility so that greater allowance can be made in future for the views of local and regional authorities on transport questions;

knows that ultimately the Council of Ministers is chiefly responsible for implementing European transport policy, and therefore calls on it to act more swiftly than in the past in helping to ensure that the objectives and measures set out in a large number of blueprints, resolutions and green and white papers, etc., bear fruit. This is the only way to convince the general public that political decision-makers are also prepared to search for lasting solutions to current transport and environmental problems so that sustainable mobility can be guaranteed in future, too.