WRITTEN QUESTION E-3311/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Multimodal logistics centre in Como

By referendum of 26 September 1998 Switzerland decided to raise the carrying capacity of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) from 28 to 40 tonnes and, as a result, to levy a tax on transit through its territory. According to estimates, this decision will cause traffic to increase in the province of Como by approximately 30 %, given that part of the heavy goods traffic which currently goes through the Mont Blanc and Fréjus tunnels and over the Brenner pass will now probably go through Como to cut journey times. Should this happen, the road conditions at the Chiasso border, which are already close to saturation point, would become totally chaotic and traffic would come to a standstill on several days of the week. Modern infrastructure is therefore required if the expected problems are to be overcome. The Chamber of Commerce, the local and provincial authorities and the forwarding agents and hauliers associations all firmly agree that what is required is a multimodal logistics centre through which all HGVs needing to cross the border can be channelled. The centre, at which goods would be cleared through customs, would contain bonded and ordinary warehouses for users of the centre, a customs office, driver-assistance facilities, catering and sleeping facilities, vehicle washing facilities, a repair service, etc.

Would the Commission state whether:

1. it has already assessed the impact which the outcome of the referendum is likely to have at the Chiasso border?

2. it considers that such a multimodal logistics centre could help to prevent the road conditions from deteriorating?

3. it considers that the is project is likely to make North-South road freight traffic more fluid and is therefore eligible for inclusion in the transport policy programmes?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 1998)

In the Swiss referendum of 27 September 1998 the Swiss did not decide to increase the weight limit for heavy goods vehicles from 28 to 40 tonnes. The referendum only referred to the adoption of a framework law enabling the Swiss authorities to decide on the introduction of distance related road pricing at a later date.

The Honourable Member refers to a project for a "plattaforma logistica plurimodale" without providing any further details. The services mentioned only seem to concern road transport, which leaves the "plurimodale" aspect undefined. If the project concerned a combined transport terminal for rail-road combined transport services and technical, administrative and commercial services for companies dealing with combined transport, such a centre could, in principle, contribute to the prevention of road congestion and more generally promote sustainable transport. Detailed proposals would in any case be needed to evaluate the plan, including the routes to be served, potential shift from road to rail, investments needed and the consequences for competition between terminals.

Trans European Networks - transport (TEN-T) funds can be granted on the basis of Council Regulation (EC) 2236/95 of 18.9.1995 which lays down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in trans-European networks(1). Only projects of common interest included in the guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network(2) can be supported. The total amount of aid granted cannot exceed 10 % of the total investment cost and the relevant request has to be submitted to the Commission by the Member State concerned.

Another approach might be an application by the interested parties for a Project Action for Combined Transport (PACT) subsidy, provided that the project is innovative and satisfies other necessary conditions. Under PACT provisions new combined transport services, investments in equipment and electronic data communication systems would be eligible(3). The next call for PACT proposals will be opened in December 1998.

(1) OJ L 228, 23.9.1995.

(2) Decision No 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and Council of 23.7.1996 for the development of the trans-European transport network (OJ L 228, 9.9.1996).

(3) Council Regulation (EC) 2196/98 of 1.10.1998 concerning the granting of Community financial assistance for actions of an innovative nature to promote combined transport.