WRITTEN QUESTION E-0324/00

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(11 February 2000)

Subject: Construction of the Valencia-Tarragona railway line

The planned construction of a railway line between Valencia and Tarragona, which was approved by the Spanish authorities in 1996, will create a number of environmental problems as it passes through the towns of Benicàssim and Oropesa. Those problems have been duly notified to the various local, national and Community institutions by the people living in the affected area, who maintain that the route which has finally been decided upon will involve the destruction of residential areas, the laying of the railway line through places frequented by children (such as Benicàssim school), the risk that the building works or the passing of the trains will affect historic buildings (such as the town cemetery, which dates from the beginning of the last century), the destruction of smallholdings and cattle tracks, damage to the countryside caused by substituting ornamental species for native plants and risks to health and to the local population stemming from the hilly terrain and the periodic threat of cold fronts (which could cause railway embankments to be washed away by heavy rain).

The effects which the project may have on the environment have already become apparent with the arrival of the heavy machinery to be used for the construction work (which has led to the destruction of native woodlands in the vicinity of the protected area known as the Desierto de Las Palmas Natural Park) and with the setting off of explosions needed to blast out tunnels (which caused a fire to break out). The project has been approved by the Spanish authorities, even though the statutory declaration of environmental impact has not been produced. The only thing which does exist is a study which is quite inadequate as a means of assessing environmental risks and which, in addition, does not exactly cover the route in its final form since it does not include the town of Oropesa.

Furthermore, the study does not address essential considerations such as future emissions caused by passing trains, the issue of waste, noise pollution or the micro-climatic effect of the embankments. In the light of the facts set out above, the Spanish authorities could be infringing Community law, in particular Directive 97/11/EC(1) on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.

Since, according to two billboards which have been erected at the construction site, the project is receiving 85 % of its funding from the EU via the Cohesion Fund, does the Commission not think that Community funding for the construction work should be suspended until a proper environmental impact statement has been drawn up?

Could the Commission say what stage it has reached in dealing with Petition No 99/4495, which was submitted by the Asociación Benicàssim Pro Enterramiento del Ferrocarril?

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2000)

The Commission finds 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) to be applicable to this project. It will not hesitate to take all necessary steps to ensure compliance with Community law in this case.

In examining the complaint, the Commission will keep the complainant informed of developments.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, amended by Directive 97/11/EC of 3.3.1997.