WRITTEN QUESTION E-1877/00 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Progress on the Attica highway and the Athens suburban railway.
Date: 2000-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, Olympic games, airport, financing, rail network, road building

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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21.8.2001

(2001/C 235 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1095/00

by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Aboæo thermal power station (Asturias)

(7 April 2000)

The residents of Pervera (Carreæo, Asturias) are inconvenienced on a daily basis by local industry. Several
days ago the Aboæo thermal power station emitted a large cloud of ash, but incredibly, the firm(cid:146)s
management refused to provide information concerning the cause and nature of the cloud to those
affected by the incident.

Can the Commission check whether this power station complies with Community environmental legisla-
tion, particularly Directive 88/609, which sets limits for emissions into the air by large combustion plants?

What action can the Commission take vis-(cid:224)-vis the competent authorities to ensure that this firm adopts
the measures necessary to guarantee a decent quality of life for the residents and protection of the
environment?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2001)

The power station concerned is classified as an (cid:145)existing plant(cid:146) in accordance with Article 2(7) of Directive
88/609/EEC of 24 November 1988 on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from
large combustion plants (1). For this category of plants the Directive does not set emission limit values.
Instead the Directive contains obligations in the form of ceilings and reduction targets for emissions of
sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from this category of plants at the level of the Member State. On the
basis of reports communicated by Spain emissions from this category plants are in compliance with the
requirements of emission ceilings and targets contained in Annex I and II of the Directive.

The Commission requested data on air quality from the monitoring network in the region surrounding the
power station at Abıno. On the basis of the information received there is no evident breach of the air
quality standards laid down in Council Directive 80/779/EEC of 15 July 1980 on air quality limit values
and guide values for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates (2).

For the purpose of verifying compliance with Council Directive 84/360/EEC of 28 June 1984 on the
combating of air pollution from industrial plants (3), additional
information concerning the technical
characteristics of the power plant at Abıno is required. The Commission will pursue this matter further
with the Spanish authorities.

(1) OJ L 336, 7.12.1988.
(2) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.
(3) OJ L 188, 16.7.1984.

(2001/C 235 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1877/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Progress on the Attica highway and the Athens suburban railway

The Attica highway, known as the Elefsina (cid:129) Stavrou (cid:129) Spata Airport freeway, is a major project which is
closely associated with the operation of the new airport in Spata and the 2004 Olympic Games. The
original budget of this project was GRD 450 billion, and it was due to be completed and gradually handed

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over between 2001 and 2002. Recently a number of airlines have been threatening to boycott Spata
airport if the above highway leading to the new airport has not been completed. There are also signs that
the suburban railway linking the new airport of Spata and Athens will not be ready for the Olympic
Games in 2004, since the competition for the choice of consultant for the project will be invalidated.

Will the Commission say:

1. What is the overall take-up rate of appropriations for the project so far, what is the delay in the
handover of the project and has any provision been made for the payment of compensation for this
delay?

2. When is the project expected to be opened to traffic given the present rate of construction?

3. What are the consequences likely to be for the operation of Spata airport if the Attica highway is not

completed in time?

4. What exactly is to be done to link the centre of Athens by rail to the new airport of Spata?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2001)

Concerning the Elefsis-Stavros-Spata-Imitos (ESSI) Athens ring project, the Commission has received the
following information from the national authorities.

Expenditure undertaken up to now by the public sector for the construction of this project is about
GRD 76 billion, out of which GRD 40 billion have been paid for the concession, GRD 33 billion for the
public works and GRD 3 billion for the studies and associated matters. Additional public expenditure
amounting to GRD 250 billion has already been made available for expropriations.

The total cost of the project in current prices is estimated as follows: GRD 330 billion for the concession
part, GRD 280 billion for public works, GRD 250 billion for expropriations, GRD 10 billion for studies
and management.

The Greek Ministry of Public Works has confirmed that the section Pallini-Spata airport will be finished
in March 2001, as foreseen in the concession contract for Spata airport. For the Imitos peripheral
motorway, completion will be delayed until 1 August 2003 due to a Supreme Court decision to modify
the environmental conditions. The Elefsis-Pallini section should be completed on time, i.e. 31 December
2002.

The connections between the route of the motorway and both the railway line coming from Acharnes new
station (SKA) and the metro line to Stavros will be ready before the 2004 Olympic games.

Whenever a delay occurs due to any factor related with the public administration and the state, penalties
should be paid to the concessionaire, as provided for in the concession contract.

A suburban rail link from SKA to the Spata airport and a link of the metro line from Stavros to Spata,
through the route of the ESSI motorway, have already been decided by the Greek authorities.