WRITTEN QUESTION E-0604/98

by Carlos Carnero González (GUE/NGL) , Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) , Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) and Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 March 1998)

Subject: Madrid-Valladolid high-speed train project drawn up by the Spanish Ministry for Development and recently submitted for public consultation

The Madrid-Valladolid high-speed train project drawn up by the Spanish Ministry for Development and recently submitted for public consultation has generated much disquiet amongst the population of the Madrid Autonomous Community (MAC) and, in particular, in Valle del Lozoya and other localities through which the route will pass, such as Tres Cantos. Rejection of the project (and also of the one which was drawn up at the same time by the MAC Government) on account of the serious environmental impact which it would have on the Valle del Lozoya (which is of great ecological value) and the poorer quality of life of those living in the localities which would be affected has been expressed in speeches opposing the project made by the leaders of ten local councils in the area, by the coordinator of Asociaciones de Montaña de la Sierra Norte, by various regional parliamentary groups and by trade unions. On Sunday, 15 February, thousands of people held a demonstration against the project along the projected route. Moreover, many people consider that the transport benefits which the Ministry has claimed for the proposed project could be achieved by alternative environmentally acceptable and economically viable means which would improve the existing rail links between Madrid, Segovia, Avila, Burgos and Valladolid.

1. Is the Commission aware of the serious situation described above and of the public's rejection of the planned high-speed rail link between Madrid and Valladolid?

2. Does the Commission not consider that the statutory environmental impact assessment should be carried out immediately?

3. Does the Commission consider the implications of the project in question to be compatible with the directives on the conservation of natural habitats (including Directive 92/43/EC)(1), of which the Valle del Lozoya is certainly one?

4. What action could the Commission take in order to ensure compliance in this particular case with Community environmental law, including Directives such as 85/337/EC(2) and 92/43/EC?

5. Could the Commission make available any information it has obtained from the Spanish authorities in order to ensure freedom of access to information on environmental issues?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 1998)

1. The Commission was not aware of the situation described by the Honourable Members.

2. 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 stipulates that projects likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue inter alia of their nature, size or location must be made subject to an assessment with regard to their effects.

This provision applies to the projects listed in Annexes I and II. Point 7 of Annex I mentions the construction of lines for long-distance railway traffic. Under the terms of Article 4(1) of the Directive, projects of the classes listed in Annex I must be made subject to an assessment in accordance with Articles 5 to 10.

If it transpires that the project in question can be described as a line for long-distance railway traffic within the meaning of Point 7 of Annex I to the Directive, it ought to be made subject to the environmental impact assessment procedure set out in Articles 5 to 10 thereof before consent is granted.

3. Under the terms of Article 4 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, the Member States must propose a list of sites liable to be designated sites of Community importance. The Valle del Lozoya is included on the list transmitted by the Spanish authorities in accordance with the Directive. Without more precise and detailed information on the project in question, the Commission is unable to say whether its effects would be compatible with Directive 92/43/EEC.

4. and 5. The Commission will make the necessary contacts to gather full details of the situation and ensure that all applicable Directives are complied with.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

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