PNV requests that EU aid be conditional on the completion “on time” of the trans-European transport network
BILBAO, December 8. (EUROPEAN PRESS) –
The EAJ-PNV MEP, Izaskun Bilbao, has defended this morning that the European aid that supports the construction of infrastructures included in the trans-European transport networks, is conditional on compliance with the deadlines set for completing its main network.
Giving corridor coordinators more power, betting on formulas such as the management commission that unblocked the works of the Basque Y to avoid further delays and presenting the amendment to incorporate the Santander-Bilbao high-speed section into the expanded network, have been other of the contributions of the jeltzales.
As reported by the PNV, the Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament has analyzed this Thursday the amendments presented by the different groups to the process of reviewing the networks
trans-European transport, a true continental master plan for investment in infrastructure.
This review is highly conditioned by the invasion of Ukraine and the need to resolve this situation that has generated major logistical problems. Likewise, to prevent the situation from recurring in the future. In addition, the perspective of military mobility has been included for the first time.
MULTIMODAL APPROACH
Izaskun Bilbao has insisted that the main contribution of this director of the plan is “to deepen the multimodal approach”. In other words, favoring the efficient combination of modes of transport required by the intelligent and integrated mobility model to which the Union aspires.
The jeltzale representative has emphasized that “a reinforced role for the maritime dimension and ports must be added, which is very important to successfully conclude the energy transition.” She has also bet on “the role of urban nodes” in articulating the network and its multimodal capabilities.
The experience lived with the Basque Y and the platforms of regional and local institutions that have been supporting the works of the Atlantic and Mediterranean corridors gives shape to another of the jeltzal amendments. “We need to strengthen the role of local and regional authorities in the projects, even with decentralized management formulas,” Bilbao said.
The amendments to the Basque formation reflect the concern caused by the French plan to delay the connection works of the French railway network with the Basque Y on the border. For this reason, it has demanded “once again the coherence between European and national projects” and has opted for “conditioning European financing to the execution of the basic network by 2030”.
CROSS-BORDER SECTIONS
The nationalist representative explained that these amendments are “another spur to require States to urgently eliminate bottlenecks in cross-border sections of the basic network by 2030, which are increasing increases in CO2, bottlenecks and loss of competitiveness”.
This is the case, he said, “of the connection between Spain and France through the Basque Country. The French Government must bet without delay on the Bordeaux-Irún section and be consistent with its logistical and climatic decisions.”
The effects of these delays were already pointed out and critical in a report prepared in 2020 by the European Court of Auditors. Specifically, the European “court of auditors” referred to the problems they raised in terms of policy to combat climate change, competitiveness for the economy as a whole and return on public investments already made. In addition, he expressed his concern about the increases that delays entail in the cost of projects.
To complete this procedure of control and promotion of priority investments, the jeltzales include other amendments focused on reinforcing the role of coordinators with binding reports. These include the person responsible for promoting the installation of the European ERTMS traffic management and control system on the priority rail network.
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
This device makes it possible to increase the capacity of infrastructures, optimize the management of the traffic they support, improve safety and also collaborate in the generation of data that feeds the big data of European transport.
Finally, Izaskun Bilbao has emphasized the amendment that it has presented to include the Santander-Bilbao railway section as part of the Atlantic Corridor project through the connection of the Basque Y as the Extended Basic Network by 2040. “Its approval would mean a transfer of passengers from road to train of 123% and 150% in the case of goods, priorities of the network”, he added.