PURPOSE: to define a long-term strategy for the creation and development of a trans-European transport network (TEN-T).
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) n° 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network and repealing Decision No 661/2010/EU
CONTENT: the Regulation establishes new guidelines defining a long-term strategy for the development of a complete trans-European transport network (TEN-T) which is designed to cover all Member States and regions as well as all transport modes (railways, maritime and air transport, roads and inland waterways). The new Regulation, replaces the current guidelines adopted in 1996, amended in 2004 and updated in 2010 (Decision No 661/2010/EU).
Purpose: the trans-European transport network shall strengthen:
· the social, economic and territorial cohesion of the Union, through accessibility and connectivity of all regions of the Union including remote, regions, as well as through reduction of infrastructure quality gaps between Member States;
· efficiency through the removal of bottlenecks and the bridging of missing links, the interconnection and interoperability of national transport networks, optimal integration and interconnection of all transport modes, and the promotion of economically efficient, high-quality transport;
· sustainability through promotion of low-carbon transport with the aim of achieving by 2050 a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
Double-layer structure: the trans-European transport network is best be developed through a dual-layer structure consisting of: (1) a comprehensive network and (2) a core network, the latter being within the framework of the comprehensive network.
· The comprehensive network shall consist of all existing and planned transport infrastructures of the trans-European transport network as well as measures promoting the efficient and socially and environmentally sustainable use of such infrastructure. The guidelines laid down by the Regulation set the requirements for the infrastructure of the comprehensive network, in order to promote the development of a high-quality network throughout the Union by 2050.
· The core network, described in Annex I, will consist of those parts of the comprehensive network which are of the highest strategic importance for achieving the objectives for the development of the trans-European transport network, reflecting evolving traffic demand and the need for multimodal transport. It will stimulate the development of the entire comprehensive network and must be established by 31 December 2030.
Core network corridors: these are an instrument to facilitate the coordinated implementation of the core network and are focused on: (a) modal integration, (b) interoperability, (c) a coordinated development of infrastructure, in particular in cross-border sections and bottlenecks. They will enable Member States to achieve a coordinated and synchronised approach with regard to investment in infrastructure.
In order to facilitate the coordinated implementation of core network corridors, ERTMS and motorways of the sea, the Commission will, in agreement with the Member States concerned, and after consulting the European Parliament and the Council, designate one or more European Coordinators.
The Regulation sets out the role of the European Coordinators, which is of major importance for the development of, and cooperation along, the corridors. Each European Coordinator shall, by 22 December 2014, submit to the Member States concerned a work plan analysing the development of the corridor. After it has been approved by the Member States concerned, the work plan shall be submitted for information to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
Projects of common interest: the Regulation set out the framework for identifying projects of common interest and specifies the requirements to be complied with for the management of the infrastructure of the trans-European transport network.
Projects of common interest shall:
· contribute to the development of the trans-European transport network through the creation of new transport infrastructure, through the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing transport infrastructure and through measures promoting the resource-efficient use of the network;
· demonstrate European added value and be economically viable taking into account the relevant social, economic, climate-related and environmental benefits and costs.
The implementation of projects of common interest depends on their degree of maturity, the compliance with Union and national legal procedures, and the availability of financial resources.
Updating and reporting: Member States shall inform the Commission on a regular, comprehensive and transparent basis about the progress made in implementing projects and the investments made for that purpose. This shall include the transmission of annual data as far as possible through the interactive geographical and technical information system for the trans-European transport network (TENtec).
Engagement with public and private stakeholders: projects of common interest relate to all directly concerned stakeholders. Accordingly, the Regulation provides that national procedures regarding regional and local authorities as well as civil society affected by a project of common interest shall be complied with, where appropriate, in the planning and construction phase of a project.
Review: by 31 December 2023, the Commission shall carry out a review of the implementation of the core network. In addition to carrying out that review, the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall assess whether new sections, such as certain former cross-border priority projects listed in Decision No 661/2010/EU, are to be included in the core network.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 21.12.2013.
DELEGATED ACTS: the Commission may adopt delegated acts in order to update the maps included in Annex I. The power to adopt such acts is conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 21 December 2013. The European Parliament or the Council may raise objections with regard to a delegated act within two months of the date of notification (which may be extended by two months). If Parliament or Council raise objections, the delegated act will not enter into force.