Traffic – Munich – Bernreiter: EU must take action against block handling in Tyrol – Bavaria
Munich (dpa / lby) – Bavaria is again pushing for an end to truck block handling in Tyrol – and otherwise calls for infringement proceedings by the European Union. The restrictions with which Tyrol has been restricting the movement of goods and goods via the Brenner for many years are disproportionate and unacceptable, said Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU) on Wednesday.
The Brenner Transit can only be mastered together. “But we have now reached a point where action must be taken in the interests of a free EU internal market. If we can’t see any change, then the only thing that will help is taking legal action through the EU.”
On certain days, Tyrol only allows a certain number of trucks per hour to cross the Kufstein border in order to reduce the load on the busy Inntal autobahn. This regularly leads to long traffic jams on the German side. There has been criticism of this approach from Germany, especially from Bavaria, for years.
“We are still of the legal opinion that block handling can only be permitted in exceptional and serious emergency situations in order to avoid a traffic collapse,” said Bernreiter and criticized: “In our view, the current practice in Tyrol goes far beyond this application and creates systematic traffic problems in Bavaria.” In addition, Tyrol’s approach seems to set a precedent. “Because the state of Salzburg is now considering introducing block handling on the Tauernautobahn am Walserberg on days with heavy traffic.”
In a letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Bernreiter called for further talks at EU level and infringement proceedings. “Residents and truck drivers have been suffering from traffic congestion for far too long. The problem needs to be solved constructively and collectively, and I’m happy to hold talks in Brussels.” It is important that not only the national states but also the local and regional stakeholders are involved. “Locally, the negative effects of the Tyrolean measures are much stronger than is the case in the capitals.”
The minister emphasized that Bavaria always works constructively on solutions. “There is lively contact at the political and working level.” Supports the Free State of Tyrol on the subject of the Brenner toll. Bavaria has repeatedly turned to the federal government for support. Unfortunately, the federal government has so far done too little to solve the problem.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220518-99-334729/2