WRITTEN QUESTION E-0503/96 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (1 March 1996)

Subject: Break-down of goods transport by form of transport used

The statistics annexed to the Commission's communication on the future development of the common transport policy show that, in 1990, the transport of goods within the Community could be broken down as follows:

- rail: 15.4%;

- road: 69.9%;

- waterways: 9.2%,

and that the proportion of goods transported by road increased steadily from 50.6% in 1970 to 69.9% in 1990, while the proportion carried by rail declined from 27.8% to 15.4% over the same period.

This trend is probably due to the railways' slow and bureaucratic administrative procedures, which mean that goods take longer to arrive by rail than by road. The result is increased environmental pollution from toxic exhaust gases and, on certain days of the week, heavily congested motorways, with the ever-increasing number of heavy goods vehicles causing hold-ups and delays for other road-users.

Does the Commission:

1. consider that it would be advisable to proceed as soon as possible with the harmonization of technical characteristics of road vehicles, particularly with regard to combined transport?

2. intend to propose interoperability for high-speed trains with a view to modernizing and speeding up the transport of goods?

3. consider that reducing the proportion of goods transported by road and promoting rail transport is a priority for the development of the common transport policy to ensure a sustainable transport system?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1996)

The Commission is aware of the importance which should be given to intermodal transport within the common transport policy and more particularly of the need to develop the transport of goods by rail. To this end, the Commission has already proposed numerous action plans to the Council, and launched others on its own initiative. For example, Directive 91/440/EEC ((OJ L 237, 24.8.1991. )) and the Pilot Actions for Combined Transport (PACT) provide for greater access to railway infrastructure. Such action plans, aimed at improving the quality of combined transport services and creating new intermodal routes, are proving very successful.

As regards harmonizing the technical specifications of road vehicles, the Council has adopted numerous legislative measures proposed by the Commission concerning the type- approval of motor vehicles, the regular checking of vehicles and restrictions on the use of vehicles like maximum weight and size limits, speed governors and equipment for monitoring driving and resting times. More particularly, weight and size limits have influenced the development of technical standards for combined transport equipment, such as containers and swap bodies. The Commission will be considering whether further harmonization is necessary in order to promote combined transport in Europe.

Following a second reading in Parliament on 16 April 1996 and the common position adopted by the Council, ((OJ C 356, 30.12.1995. )) the Commission is currently re-examining its proposal on interoperability for high-speed trains. ((OJ C 203, 8.8.1995. ))

The Commission fully recognizes the need to encourage a shift in the transport of passengers and goods by road to other modes of transport. Promoting rail and combined transport, and inland waterway transport, which is one of the principal aims of the common transport policy, will certainly help to optimize the transport system and achieve sustainable mobility, particularly as a result of greater respect for the environment, improved safety and the freeing-up of the road infrastructure.