Europe’s railways are prepared to reply to new call for TEN-T project proposals

Brussels, Belgium – The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) welcomes the launch of the Commission’s call for proposals for grants in the field of TEN-T for the period 2007-2013. CER’s members waited for the launch in order to submit their applications for EU funding of the implementation of the European trail traffic management system ERTMS. Railway companies and infrastructure managers will apply by 20 July 2007 for EU funding to equip infrastructure and rolling stock with the harmonised train control and signalling technology.

Libor Lochman, CER Deputy Executive Director, said: “The railway sector is ready to move ahead with the Europe-wide implementation of ERTMS. However, it is clear that the available EU budget of €500 million is far too limited compared to the necessary investments.” Looking at the TEN-T projects in general, he stressed that Member States need to make sure that appropriate public funds are foreseen in their national budgets, so that their investment strategies are aligned with the co-financing possibilities offered by the European Union.

Last week’s Commission call for proposals for grants in the field of TEN-T for the period 2007-2013 will concentrate aid on TEN-T priority projects, in particular on cross-border sections and bottlenecks.

Only a few days before, the European Parliament adopted the new TEN-T Regulation providing the legal basis for EU funding of ERTMS projects of up to 50%. Another significant innovation of the Regulation is the increase of community aid for works to up to 20% of the total costs (30% for priority projects’ cross-border sections and bottlenecks).

The EU budget foresees a share of €8 billion for TEN-T projects in the financial period 2007-2013, while the Commission had originally requested over €20 billion. The total investments needed for the realisation of TEN-T priority projects alone are estimated at €160 billion in the period 2007-2013.

Community funding will be granted for railway projects if interoperability is ensured; moreover, all projects will be financed subject to their compliance with existing EU laws on environmental protection and sustainable development.

Additional background information (provided by Infrasite’s Editorial Staff)
Financial aid for transport and energy networks (2007-05-23)