Elektronische raadpleging transportministers over duurzame ontwikkeling, en veiligheid op de weg (en)

(06/10/05)

Speech Date:  06/10/05

Speaker:  Alistair Darling, UK Secretary of State for Transport

I should like to thank all colleagues for their contributions to the consultation exercise.

As I said at the beginning of this exercise, there will be no formal Council conclusions. But I hope that the following summary will assist the Commission in drafting its policy review paper.

Given the wide ranging nature of the consultation, I thought it appropriate to summarise responses in the context of the wider developments in my opening statement and elaborated in Stephen Ladyman's interventions.

Sustainable development

Several Ministers believe that modal shift should continue to be the priority objective to deliver sustainable transport. However, others feel that it should be viewed as one of a number of policy means rather than an end in itself and it was questioned whether the primary focus on rail (especially to the extent of making road transport less competitive) was the best way to achieve the goal of sustainable transport.

There is a consensus that the emergence of new technologies should play an increasingly important role in formulating sustainability objectives in future EU transport policy, especially in areas such as climate change, and air quality.

Growth and jobs

Several Ministers see continued investment in trans-European transport networks as an important contribution to achieving Lisbon objectives. A number of countries think that the promotion of motorways of the sea would support economic growth. Some Member States advance the principle of subsidiarity in considering local public transport.

It was felt that there should be better regulation in preference to more regulation and that the emphasis between now and 2010 should be on ensuring consistent application of existing EU law across Europe.

Enlargement

Future policy options must reflect the fact of last year's enlargement and the forthcoming accessions of Bulgaria and Romania. There is also a continuing need to improve transport links with neighbouring countries to Russia and the East. The removal of non-physical barriers should form part of this strategy.

Road Safety

All Ministers agree that road safety is of paramount importance. Some want to address problems, particularly driver behaviour, through the exchange of best practice with Member States. Other Ministers support EU legislation in certain areas such as vehicle safety and cross-border enforcement. Road safety is seen by many as a national issue but cooperation at EU level such as the opportunity for sharing of experience afforded by the forthcoming Verona Conference is also welcome. And the development and use of new technologies, such as alco-locks, is seen by some Ministers as a way of reducing casualties in the future.

Citizens' Europe

The emerging message is the importance of being able to demonstrate to voters the added value of European cooperation in providing workable solutions to their problems. EU legislation should confine itself to areas where uniform European standards are essential and where action at national level would be insufficient to deliver the objective sought. However, there is no clear view about where the line should be drawn.

EU actions need to be sensitive to differing local, regional and national requirements. A number of Ministers make the point that geographical conditions of regions should be taken into account in common transport policies, and that a `one size fits all' strategy will not always be successful. For instance, congestion is much less of a problem than ensuring accessibility to transport in more remote regions.

At the October Transport Council, I would like to develop the theme of modal shift which has emerged during this consultation.

Further meeting information: Electronic Consultation of EU Transport Ministers: 12 - 19 September 2005, Online