WRITTEN QUESTION E-0271/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2003)

Subject: Application of Directive 85/337/EEC

The construction of the stretch of the relief road for the AS 25, proposed by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Planning of the Principality of Asturias, that crosses the village of Arbón (in the municipality of Villayón) would have significant adverse effects both in terms of land-use and in socio-economic and environmental terms. While upgrading is required, this should be on an appropriate scale, which makes straightforward upgrading of the existing road the most sensible option.

The construction of the relief road would cut the Arbón Valley in two while also drastically altering the shape of the village. One immediate consequence of these changes would be a reduction in rural tourism, to the detriment of the local economy. The valley is a superb example of an Asturian rural area and should be preserved.

The proposed relief road would cover a considerable expanse of the villagers' farmland including that of the main broad bean producer. At the same time, the road would pose a threat to the wealth of wildlife found in the valley in which the village is situated.

Bearing in mind that in its reply of 14 May 2002 to Written Question E-0884/02(1) of 2 April 2002 the Commission recognised that this project fell within the scope of Directive 85/337/EEC(2) and undertook to contact the relevant authorities to request information on the possible application of that directive, what was the result of its approach to these authorities i.e. the Government of the Principality of Asturias?

(1) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002, p. 98.

(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 April 2003)

As it indicated in its answer to Written Question E-0884/02(1), to which the Honourable Member refers, the Commission asked the Spanish authorities for their comments regarding the application 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(2) in this case.

The Commission has received and examined the Spanish authorities' reply, which consisted of a report on the case from the Autonomous Community of Asturias.

The examination revealed that the AS-25 Navia-Villayón, Arbón relief road project, covering some 2,7 kilometres, was made subject to an environmental impact assessment procedure. The environmental impact study was submitted to public consultation via an announcement published in the Official Gazette of Asturias (Boletín Oficial del Principado de Asturias B.O.P.A.) on 14 September 2001. The environmental impact statement was adopted on 18 December 2001 by the competent environmental body of the Autonomous Community of Asturias. The impact statement lays down a series of environmental conditions and remedial measures. The Spanish authorities point out that three alternative routes were studied. They also note that the project has no impact on any site proposed for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network.

In view of the foregoing, the Commission cannot conclude that the Community environmental legislation applicable in this instance has been infringed in any way.

(1) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002.

(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.