EU rail regulation evaluation
The consultation period for the evaluation of regulation (EU)913/2010 regarding a European rail network for competitive freight begins today.
The period lasts for 12 weeks and will come to a conclusion with all questionnaires returned on 21 August. All EU citizens, local authorities and organisations are invited to participate, particularly those with interests in sustainable transport and rail network development. The questionnaires are provided by the European Commission and are available here for those with a functional knowledge of rail freight corridors, and here for those without.
The commission is responsible to the European Parliament and Council for examining and extending the scope of this exercise with a full evaluation of the regulation. The public consultation aims to ensure that citizens and stakeholders are able to submit their ideas and reservations to the commission regarding the regulation, its implementation and its effects.
The development of rail freight corridors complements the strategy of improving rail freight as an integral part of the policy aiming to achieve sustainable transport objectives. Reaching these objectives could result in larger volumes of freight being transported by rail, which is conisidered a far more environmentally friendly method than road haulage.
According to the official website, the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme is aiming to achieve ‘better mobility, less congestion, more safety and security with a substantial reduction of traffic congestion; with a substantial improvement in the mobility of people and freight; by developing new concepts of freight transport and logistics and by reducing accident rates, fatalities and casualties and improving security.’
For further information on the consultation, click here.
