WRITTEN QUESTION E-1973/02

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 July 2002)

Subject: High-speed train from Madrid to the Region of Valencia

The Spanish Ministry for Public Works intends to carry out the project to build the Madrid Valencia Region high-speed train without having seriously considered the alternatives, such as modernising and improving the existing lines and using fast tilting trains, which are better suited to the mountainous terrain, could use existing track, subject to appropriate improvements, and hence could reduce the environmental impact.

Can the Commission ascertain whether a strategic environmental assessment of this project has been carried out by the Spanish Government, comparing the economic, social and environmental costs of the Madrid Valencia high-speed train with alternatives using fast tilting trains to cover the same route on existing track, after adapting and modernising it?

Although Spain is finding it difficult to fulfil the obligations of the Kyoto Protocol, opting for the high-speed project would only enhance a system based on high consumption. In accordance with forecasts of 230 direct trains arriving in the city of Valencia every day, there are plans to build a new platform for only 12 long-distance trains, whilst the rest would continue to use track which has almost reached saturation point. Furthermore the high-speed option means investing more in minority traffic and less in busier traffic (local and regional lines), with a medium-term investment to the detriment of State investment in more socially useful projects.

In the year 2000 EUR 2,87 per suburban-train passenger and almost EUR 1 382 per high-speed train passenger was invested in Spain. With regard to the Madrid Valencia high-speed train project and the European structural aid requested, does the Commission envisage funding this high-speed train line, which is not one of the priorities for the trans-European transport network?

Does the Commission not consider that European funding should be used for rail infrastructure serving larger passenger numbers?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2002)

Modernisation of the rail link between Madrid and Valencia appears in the development plan of the Autonomous Community of Valencia as one of the operations needed in order to improve inter-regional rail links and thus help integrate those regions into the trans-European transport network (TEN). The Madrid Valencia link is not one of the specific projects selected by the Heads of State and Government in Essen. However, it does figure as a planned new high-speed line in Annex I to Decision No 1692/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network(1). It is eligible for Community aid from the trans-European transport network budget and from the Structural and cohesion Funds.

Nonetheless, the specific arrangements for modernisation, and the detailed technical decisions, routes, speed, etc., are all matters for the national authorities. As this line is part of the TEN, technical studies relating to this high-speed corridor are co-financed through the Multiannual Indicative Programme for the granting of Community financial support to projects of common interest in the area of TENs for the period 2001-2006.

As the Commission indicated in its answer to written question P-1545/02 by Mrs Sornosa Martínez(2), it has yet to receive a financing request for construction work on this railway line, and so has not had occasion to assess the soundness of the Member State's final decisions.

Regarding the need to subject this infrastructure project to an environmental impact study, it should be noted that Article 2 of Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(3), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997(4), stipulates that Member States must adopt all measures necessary to ensure that, before consent is given, projects likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue inter alia of their nature, size or location are made subject to an assessment with regard to their effects. Moreover, Article 4 stipulates that projects of the classes listed in Annex I, such as the railway line referred to in this petition, must be made subject to an assessment in accordance with the procedure laid down in Articles 5 to 10.

The Commission learned of the situation reported by the Honourable Member via petition 109/2001, following which it opened a new own-initiative case, registered as No 2002/2087, to ensure that Community law is being properly enforced in the case in hand. The same situation was also reported in a complaint, registered as No 2002/4001.

As part of its examination of these dossiers, the Commission has approached the Spanish authorities for their comments on the reported situation and on the enforcement of Directive 85/337/EEC in this instance.

The Commission will not fail to inform Parliament's Committee on Petitions of developments in its examination of the dossier.

Generally speaking, the Commission believes Community financing allocated to the trans-European networks should aim as a priority at shifting the balance between the different modes of transport and removing bottlenecks. This shift is being achieved by means of rail projects improving or releasing capacity for goods trains and developing high-speed lines able to provide an alternative to other modes, especially air transport.

(1) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.

(2) OJ C 309 E, 12.12.2002, p. 134.

(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(4) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.