EC making finance available for all forms of transport

Date: 4/12/2012

Transport infrastructure is to be given a boost as the (EC) European Commission is making €1.265 billion (£0.97 billion) of funding available.

All forms of transport will benefit from the investment including air, rail, road and water, as well as logistics and intelligent transport systems.

As part of the 2012 (TEN-T) Trans-European Transport Network multi-annual and annual programmes, two Calls for Proposals have been launched.

Siim Kallas, Vice President Responsible for Transport at the EC, said: "In making this considerable amount of funding available, the Commission aims for a competitive relaunch of the European economy, to sustain and support growth."

He went on to say that all citizens of Europe and businesses in which they work will feel the effects of a more efficient, sustainable and effective transport network.

Six fields will be the focus of this year's multi-annual call, with a total of €1.015 billion indicative budget.

Thirty TEN-T priority projects have been identified, including €100 million to be spent on European Rail Traffic Management Systems, providing interpretation on the rail network across the continent.

€10 million has been assigned to address issues with traffic management on the inland waterway network through the River Information Services.

Air Traffic Management will have a €50 million budget to ensure that the Single European Sky objectives are accomplished.

Sea routes are to be given greater capacity for transporting freight as an alternative to using the congested road network, under plans costing €80 million.

Intelligent Transport Systems incorporating the European Electronic Toll Service will be given €50 million to improve safety and reliability of the road network.

The system of funding is designed to direct monies into four distinct areas: mature projects; innovative and new technologies; Public-Private Partnerships; and the support and long-term implementation of TEN-T projects.

Technical and financial implementation of the TEN-T programme is managed by the Executive Agency of the network and overseen by the Directorate-General for Mobility & Transport.

All proposals must be submitted before February 28th next year in order to be considered.

Posted by Mary Treen

Transport News and Transport Consulting News