WRITTEN QUESTION E-1212/96 by Carlo Ripa di Meana (V) and Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Intermodal centre in Olbia (Sardinia)

In its reply to a written question (E-0017/96) ((OJ C 217, 26.7.1996, p. 6. )) on the Olbia intermodal centre, the Commission confirmed, on 9 April 1996, that it was prepared to participate in cofinancing the project in Enas in accordance with the agreement between the region, the railway authority and the commune of Olbia.

On 5 March 1996, the CORECO (regional control committee) suspended the decision of 12 January 1996, under which the commune of Olbia had approved the project, on the grounds that the proposed site did not meet the requirements of the regional transport plan, the Olbia construction programme (which was to have been altered under the decision), the development plan for the industrial zone of Olbia, or the environmental, archaeological and scientific protection requirements laid down in the regional rural programme, which provides for a rural environment compatibility study which has not yet been submitted.

Under the above-mentioned agreement with the region, the Italian State Railways stated their readiness to transfer all their freight activities currently carried out in the port of Olbia on condition that intermodal transport was developed and operating costs reduced; this condition would not have been met, given the distance between the Enas site and the industrial port and zone.

The Commission's reply of 9 April 1996 does not take into account CORECO's suspension of the decision of the commune of Olbia.

The project for an intermodal centre in Olbia, which was approved by the regional administrative technical committee in September 1993, failed even then to comply with the regional transport plan and the town-planning legislation in force and failed to win favourable opinions from either the Italian State Railways or the commune of Olbia.

Is the Commission still prepared, if the above observations are confirmed, to cofinance the Olbia intermodal centre in Enas? Does it not consider it necessary to seek a review of the centre's location in order to comply both with the terms of the current town-planning legislation and with the strategic goals set by the European Union in support of cabotage and three-way intermodal transport (water-rail-road)?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (12 July 1996)

Further to the information provided in reply to the Honourable Members' Written Question E-17/96 ((OJ C 112, 17.4.1996. )) and in the light of information from the Italian authorities, the Commission can now inform the Honourable Members that on 5 March the regional control committee (CORECO) for Sardinia did in fact suspend the Olbia communal council's discussions on the project in question and its location.

At a meeting on 3 May, the commune of Olbia considered the explanations and the reply to be sent to CORECO, which, at a meeting on 11 June, rejected them, arguing that the communal act ought to have been passed by the communal council, not by the 'Giunta' (the executive body). The commune of Olbia should therefore comply with the administrative procedure laid down by regional law as decided by CORECO.

According to the agreement between the region of Sardinia, the Italian government and the railways, the construction of an intermodal centre would meet the economic and social needs of this part of the island and would facilitate the handling of goods and transport to Olbia. The decision on the location of the centre will be taken jointly by the regional and communal authorities and the railways. Needless to say, all the procedural requirements, including the environmental impact assessment, must be observed.

As the project is part of the multifund operational programme (MOP) for 1983-93 it is eligible for financing from the Structural Funds provided the expenditure is incurred before 31 December 1996.