EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/195

(2004/C 33 E/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1995/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 June 2003)

Subject: Railway lines in the centre of Athens

A decision has been made to modernise 13 kilometres of railway line linking Piraeus with the rail hub at Acharnon via Athens, which will also form part of the suburban rail network. The projected completion date is May 2004 and the project has a budget of EUR 160,4 million. The invitation to tender announced by the Greek Railways Organisation (OSE) is for the replacement of the line by a new, electrified line widened to four tracks.

The inhabitants of Athens are concerned that the route of the railway will continue to divide the city into two, creating not only major bottlenecks and more pollution but also travel problems for the population and a feeling of isolation and ghettoisation.

Do the studies for modernising the suburban rail network provide for any sections of the line to run underground or for any other works to prevent the city being divided into two? If not, how will the Commission intervene to resolve this problem in an environment-friendly manner?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 2003)

As far as major infrastructure projects — such as the modernisation of a railway section — are concerned, it is up to the Member State to design the project, and to ensure that an appropriate balance is found between economic, societal and environmental considerations, and see to the respect of applicable regulatory requirements.

According to information made available to the Commission, in the case of the railway corridor between Piraeus and ‘Three bridges’ mentioned by the Honourable Member, it is indeed planned to increase the number of tracks from currently two/three (according to the location) to four. This, however, will be achieved largely by a better utilisation of the already available space within the existing corridor of the section. Therefore, in as far as the width of this section of the suburban railway is concerned, there should be no substantial difference between the current and the future situation.

The project in question, which concerns the modernisation of a short-distance railway line, may fall within the scope 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 (1), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2). Annexe II.13 of the Directive refers to any change or extension of projects listed in Annex I or Annex II, already authorised, executed or in the process of being executed, which may have significant adverse effects on the environment. According to Article 4(2), Member States are not obliged to submit projects listed in Annex II to an environmental impact assessment. In this particular case, it appears that the nature and the size of the project are not likely to have significant adverse effects on the environment. Nevertheless, the assessment of the significance of the project's effects rests primarily with the national authorities.

The project for the modernisation of this particular section has not been proposed for co-funding by the Union; the Commission will therefore not intervene with the Greek authorities.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.