WRITTEN QUESTION P-0455/99

by Carlo Ripa di Meana (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 February 1999)

Subject: Lyon-Turin-Milan-Venice-Trieste high-speed rail link

The European Council in Essen endorsed the creation of a high-speed rail link between Lyon, Turin, Milan and Venice. This section of railway line, as part of "Corridor 5" of the trans-European inter-connecting networks, would provide a link to Slovenia and Hungary, countries which have applied to join the EU. The project would involve the construction of a second line between Venice and Trieste, originating in a tunnel in southern Ronchi. The line would then cross Goriziano Monfalconese, in the Carso area - including the area of the small Lake Mucille and the important protected ecological area of Lake Pietrarossa, to continue through the Carso area, damaging other important beauty spots around Trieste. This project could lead to the withdrawal of EU funding, earmarked under the Konver II programme, for the protection of the environment and development of tourism and crafts in the Lake Pietrarossa area. Such a railway line would also cause irreparable damage not only to the Italian and Slovenian Carso ecosystem, with its specific hydro-geological characteristics, but also to the network of springs created by the confluence of waters from Lake Mucille and Lake Pietrarossa, the Sablici and Lisert wetlands, Lake Doberdò and the eastern Carso. Technically, the original plan could be followed, whereby the existing railway line near Gorizia would be upgraded and reinforced, thus avoiding the above-mentioned areas of great ecological importance, while still providing access to the port of Trieste.

The Commission:

1. Does it therefore consider it wise to endorse a project marked by an arrogant disregard for the environment on a transnational level, given that it involves the territory of both EU and applicant countries?

2. Is such a project, which would inflict such great damage to the Carso landscape and to the springs in the entire area, not at odds with the objectives pursued by the EU via the Konver II funding to protect the environment and develop tourism and crafts?

3. What measures and action does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the above railway infrastructure be completed while maintaining the utmost respect for the landscape and ecosystem of the Carso?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 1999)

The project for a high-speed line combined transport Lyon-Torino-Milano-Venezia-Trieste is part of the TEN-T guidelines Decision no 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network(1) and is included in the Annex III as a specific proposal. According to Article 8.1 of the Decision, when projects are carried out, environmental protection must be taken into account by the Member States through the execution of environmental impact assessments pursuant to 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) and through the application of Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(3).

As far as the section Venezia-Trieste is concerned, the Commission in 1997 co-financed through the TEN-T budget line a feasibility study aiming at identifying the route option for the future high-speed line which provides the highest social and economic return at the lowest environmental cost. However the Commission cannot yet judge the impact of the project as the study is still continuing and the results concerning the route option are not known.

According to the information available to the Commission, the Konver project in the area in favour of the Monfalcone municipality is proceeding normally and the funding has not been put into doubt.

(1) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.

(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.