Apr 19 2023
What does the European TEN-T revision mean for rail
The Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament unanimously adopted its position regarding the revision of the TEN-T regulations last week. What has been decided in this revision, and what does it mean for European railways?
The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) is a network of roads, railways, inland waterways, airports, and seaports designed to improve transport infrastructure and connectivity across the European Union. The network was established in 1996 and has been updated and expanded since, with the current policy and corresponding map with lines dating from 2013. Due for an update, the European Commission made an initial legislative proposal for a revised regulation in December 2021, with changes addressing missing links, and to support the transition to a cleaner, greener and smarter mobility. Also, the changed geopolitical situation due to Russia’s invasion in Ukraine leaves its mark, leading the European Commission to amend its proposal in July 2022.
After the Commission makes a proposal, it is up to the European Parliament to review it and make amendments. As rapporteurs, a member of the European Parliament made responsible for handling a legislative proposal drawn up by the European Commission, the Austrian Barbara Thaler (European People’s Party) and the French Dominique Riquet (Renew Europe) went to work, appointed by the European Parliament Transport Committee.
Current TEN-T projects range from Rail Baltica, connecting Helsinki and Warsaw, to Brenner Base Tunnel, linking Austria and Italy, or the Lisbon–Madrid high-speed rail line.
An intermediate deadline, stricter on delays
The TEN-T network consists of two layers. The core network includes all parts of the overall network that are strategically important for achieving European transport objectives. The regulation established provisions for the core network is to be completed by 2030. The comprehensive network as the second layer connects all regions of the EU to the core network, and the provision for this should be completed by 2050.
Initially, in the EU this was translated into nine core network corridors in the TEN-T network, however there are also eleven rail freight corridors established in another regulation, aimed at strengthening competitive freight. With the TEN-T revision, these two types will be integrated into nine European Transport Corridors. For rail, this is realised in nine European Transport Corridors, among which for example the Rhine-Alpine corridor running from key North Sea ports of Belgium and the Netherlands to the Mediterranean port of Genoa. The TEN-T revision also adds a new layer: the Extended Core Network, the development of which should be completed by 2040. Read more
Source: RAILFREIGHT.COM