Plans for the creation of a new Trans-European Transport Network across the EU have moved a step forward after winning approval from the European Council.
The project, known as TEN-T, aims to create a “sustainable and smart” transport network across the continent linking more than 400 major European cities with airports, railway stations and terminals.
The European Commission announced its initial proposals for TEN-T in December 2021 and this week secured backing from the European Council, which represents the 27 countries that make up the EU. The commission said this move “demonstrates member states’ commitment to the EU’s ambitious climate targets”.
Martin Kupka, the Czech Republic’s transport minister, said: “Developing a good transport network across Europe is crucial. Not only for our citizens to move around fast and reliably, but also for our businesses to further develop and fully use the potential of internal market.”
The commission is proposing to revise the current TEN-T plans to “strengthen infrastructure requirements in view of achieving more efficient and sustainable transport services and of shifting passengers and freight towards more sustainable modes of transports”.
This includes requiring TEN-T passenger rail lines to allow trains to travel at 160 kilometres per hour or faster by 2040, while all 424 cities on the network will have to develop Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans to promote zero-emission mobility, as well as increasing and improving public transport.
The proposals will now be discussed by the commission, council and European Parliament, which will finalise its position on TEN-T in early 2023. Once agreement is reached, the new regulation is set to be adopted at the end of next year and become operational from 2024.
The commission also wants to ensure “timely completion” of TEN-T, with the “core” network being finished by 2030, followed by the “comprehensive” network by 2050. The core network includes the “most important connections, linking the most important nodes”, while the comprehensive network “covers all European regions”.
The initial proposals from the commission released last year were amended this summer following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They now include plans for “better connectivity” between the EU and both Ukraine and neighbouring Moldova through European Transport Corridors, which will be designed to improve sustainable passenger and freight flows in Europe.