WRITTEN QUESTION E-0107/00 by Juan Ojeda Sanz (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Revision of TEN guidelines ‐ safety in projects of common interest.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/83 Lastly, it should remembered that since introduction of the quota system the reference quantities allocated to the Member States mentioned by the Honourable Member have been either left unchanged (Ireland) or reduced (Denmark, Netherlands). By contrast those assigned to Spain have been substantially increased, by 17 % between 1986 and 1999 and 29 % between 1986 and 2001. For these periods the European average fell by 4 % and 2 %. Distribution of the quota between regions and farmers is in each Member State a national responsibility using impartial criteria. (2000/C 330 E/091) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0107/00 by Juan Ojeda Sanz (PPE-DE) to the Commission (26 January 2000) Subject: Revision of TEN guidelines ü safety in projects of common interest Under the Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network adopted in 1996, the Commission is to provide a report indicating whether or not those guidelines should be revised. Bearing in mind the unacceptably high rate of fatal accidents linked to transport operations (above all road transport), it appears paradoxical to say the least that those guidelines should not attach the same importance to transport safety as to environmental protection (which merits a specific article). Given that the above guidelines form the basis for drawing up infrastructure projects of common European interest which will receive financial support from the European institutions, will the Commission introduce a specific article in its proposal for new guidelines with a view to requiring a safety impact study for all projects to be funded by the Union? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (9 March 2000) The Commission shares the Honourable Memberís view that the number of fatal accidents involving transport, and in particular road transport, is intolerable. Ensuring the lasting mobility of goods and persons under the best possible safety conditions is one of the aims of the trans-European transport network. In order to update the Communityís approach towards expanding that network, the Commission is currently examining how to achieve that aim as effectively as possible. In the medium term, the part played by traffic management systems with regard to safety could be given greater recognition. These include traffic monitoring and accident-detection systems, and also the harmonisation of signs and of railway telecommunication systems. In the longer term expansion of the network should be based on a detailed assessment of network quality, and more particularly of its safety level. The Community-funded projects have already been subjected to a cost/benefit study which, in general terms, includes safety. However, those projects only cover a limited number of network sections. The Commission thus intends to encourage a broader approach in its communication on road safety (1). For that purpose decisions on investment in transport infrastructure should take account of the costs and benefits to society of the various options in terms of road safety. (1) COM(97) 131 final