WRITTEN QUESTION E-3171/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(19 November 2001)

Subject: St Gotthard accident

The tragic accident in the St Gotthard tunnel once again dramatically raises the issue of safety arrangements in tunnels. A system of traffic lights regulates the traffic estimated at more than 18 700 vehicles, 21 % of which are lorries as soon as an emergency occurs, an antenna enables drivers to continue listening to their car radio, four fire-fighters, with two vehicles which, however, are not equipped to deal with chemical accidents, are permanently on duty.

The problem of intra-Community road transport has been aggravated by the closure of the St Gotthard tunnel, the fact that the Mont Blanc is out of service, the traffic restrictions in the Brenner Pass and the congestion in the Fréjus tunnel, where traffic has increased to some 8 000 vehicles a day.

In view of the lack of any European legislation setting out the necessary safety standards to be respected before tunnels become operational, will the Commission look into legislation to set out the safety systems and services required to guarantee the proper functioning of such facilities?

Will the Commission draw up a directive to make the introduction of dual lanes in existing and new tunnels compulsory.

Will the Commission take measures to promote the development of a combined road-rail system?

Will the Commission ensure that more stringent checks are made on public holidays with regard to drivers' driving and rest periods?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2002)

As announced in the White Paper on European transport policy for 2010(1) the Commission will propose, at the start of the year 2002, a new legislation, which will guarantee a high level of safety for road users in tunnels located on the trans-European network. The proposal will cover various safety issues, e.g. tunnel operation, safety equipment, users information and organisation of rescues. Also, Council Directive 89/106/EC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products(2) lays down the properties of construction products and materials to be used in tunnels, given the need to guarantee a high level of safety for road users. The harmonised technical specifications included in the relevant European standards define classes and levels, which allow Member States to opt for the appropriate level of safety when specifying permitted construction materials for such tunnels.

The White Paper devotes a whole chapter to the Commission's aim of Linking up the modes of transport and to promote intermodality. Rail-road transport is one of the key areas.

Indeed, certain White Paper proposals address the issue of how to transfer road traffic from road to more environmentally friendly modes, namely the following:

- Framework rules for better reflecting costs of using the transport infrastructure for all modes. This would, amongst others, allow financing of major railway investments in sensitive zones like the Alps by road charges (cross-financing).

- The second railway package of measures to be brought out in early 2002 will focus on interoperability concerns, safety, and opening up the market.

- The Marco Polo programme will seek to promote intermodality generally, and will assist intermodal services in starting up.

- Certain maritime links, in particular those which allow current road traffic to avoid the bottlenecks should become part of the Trans-European network.

- An effort will be made to standardise containers and swap bodies.

As regards enforcement of the rules on driving times and rest periods, the Commission is keenly aware that both enforcement and sanctions are primarily a matter for the Member States. However, it intends to revise the current Directive 88/599/EEC of 23 November 1988 on standard checking procedures for the implementation of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 on the harmonization of certain social legislation relating to road transport and Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road transport(3). The aim is to propose a higher minimum level of checks both at the roadside and on the premises of road transport undertakings as well as to harmonise checking procedures and sanctions. Moreover the Commission is pushing ahead with the introduction of the digital tachograph which will allow secure recording and storage of data on driving times and rest periods and enable the competent authorities in Member States to check a greater number of vehicles more swiftly.

(1) COM(2001) 370 final.

(2) OJ L 40, 11.2.1989.

(3) OJ L 325, 29.11.1988.