COTER Commission sets regions' priorities for the TEN-T revision and the future of EU transport - Main contents

The Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy of the Committee of the Regions (COTER) widely supports the European Commission proposal for revising the TEN-T legislative framework and its willingness to speed up the deployment of the trans-European transport networks. However, the governance should be improved in a way to ensure a greater involvement of regional and local authorities.

By adopting on the 5 March in Lisbon the opinion on the TEN-T legislative framework, drafted by Bernard Soulage (FR/PES), vice-president of the Rhone-Alpes Regional Council, COTER members stressed that the current infrastructure is still too fragmented, both geographically and in relation to transport modes, and welcomed the dual-layer approach proposed by the European Commission, with a schedule of investments focusing on a comprehensive network, to be in place before the end of 2050, and a core network, to be completed by 2030 at the latest.

Members expressed appreciation for the choice of basing TEN-T infrastructure projects on the existing networks, concentrating efforts in improving and interconnecting them, promoting the most resource-efficient use and stressing the role of regions and cities in supporting collective modes of transport. Concern was expressed about the insufficient focus on the motorways of the sea.

Concerning the comprehensive network, the opinion encourages the effort made in favour of rail transport and reiterates how crucial is maintaining such a network to ensure territorial cohesion all over Europe.

As regards the core network, the opinion focuses on the relevance of the concept of "multimodal corridors" and on the role of the European Coordinator envisaged for each corridor. A clarification of the definition of "urban nodes" has also been requested so as to include relevant logistic and port areas.

According to the opinion, the governance system should be improved by giving the European Commission broad management and decision making responsibilities and, on the other hand, including regional and local authorities within crucial governance bodies such as the proposed "corridor platforms". Since regions and cities are contributing to the development of the EU transport infrastructures in terms of decision-making, planning and financing, their inclusion in corridor platforms ought to be made mandatory.

The principle of a Connecting Europe Facility was welcomed but, at the same time, the lack of adequate resources to cover the considerable financial effort required by the TEN-T network is still a major concern. COTER members called for mobilising new financial tools such as project bonds, establishing a new transport taxation internalising the external costs of the most polluting modes (i.e. Eurovignette) and strengthening the role of the European Investment Bank.

The opinion will be presented for discussion and adoption at the next CoR plenary session on 3-4 May.