WRITTEN QUESTION P-0164/02

by Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 January 2002)

Subject: Reopening of the Mont Blanc tunnel

The reopening of the Mont Blanc tunnel is a regional and national priority. As a result of delays in the work on the French side, the Valle d'Aosta Autonomous Region is being seriously affected by physical and economic isolation. This hindrance over a long period of time is calling into the question the principle laid down in the Treaty establishing the European Community, namely that of freedom of movement for goods, persons, services and capital.

What inspection measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that this principle is complied with?

What technical inspection measures relating to safety and maintenance does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the tunnel is fully reopened and is safe?

What time limits will the Commission impose on France to ensure that it does not continue with this policy of obstruction?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2002)

The Commission shares the opinion of the Honourable Member on the importance of the Mont Blanc tunnel for the free movement of goods.

However, the Commission takes the view that the reopening of the tunnel can be based only on safety considerations and that it can be reopened only if all the safety conditions are complied with. The Commission does not have the power to give prior approval for the reopening of the Mont Blanc tunnel and for specific traffic rules. It is for the French and Italian national authorities to carry out the studies and work required and verify whether traffic safety conditions are met before reopening the tunnel. This applies to light vehicles as well as lorries.

Assurances regarding safety have repeatedly been given by the French and Italian transport ministers. However, the reopening has been delayed compared with initial estimates in order to allow verification of safety conditions through a series of Franco-Italian accident and fire simulation exercises. The results of these exercises appear to be positive overall. It is expected that the conditions for reopening and operating the tunnel will be finalised in February 2002.

Bearing this in mind, the Commission considers that action under the terms of the EC Treaty regarding the free movement of goods is not necessary at this stage.

In the Commission's opinion, the measures required to properly control the flow of overland transport and improve the modal equilibrium in the Alpine region, in particular in the Mont Blanc area, should include the following:

- establishing and operating, as soon as possible, the two railway segments already identified in the 1996(1) guidelines for the trans-European transport network, namely the Lyon-Turin section and the Brenner section, and also establishing the railway links provided for in the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland;

- introducing a common tariff system covering the costs of infrastructure;

- promoting intermodal transport;

- implementing the second railway package(2).

(1) European Parliament and Council Decision No 1692/96/EC of 23 July 1996 on the Community guidelines for the trans-European transport network, OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.

(2) COM(2002) 18 final.