Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-02-11-Speech-2-286"
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"en.20030211.11.2-286"2
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"Mr President, there is no doubt that liberalisation of the transport market has delivered positive benefits for the mobility of goods and people, but this is in the context of a continuing predominance of road traffic, growing congestion and harmful effects on the environment and public health.
The White Paper proposes to tackle this situation by gradually breaking the link between transport growth and economic growth or an increase in GDP, while recognising that economic growth will generate greater needs for mobility. Conversely, we cannot ignore the importance of transport in contributing to economic growth and development. The Irish situation is an excellent case study in point. Road traffic in Dublin has grown exponentially in the last decade, as we have experienced record growth levels in our economy. But the resulting congestion now acts as a serious brake on further growth. Here, we are talking about balance and the need to get it right. We also have the environmental impact on our air quality.
Similarly, enlargement will also generate additional road transport. Infrastructure upgrading in candidate countries will require massive investment. As they grow their GDP and their per capita income - which we all hope they do - so traffic and congestion will increase pro rata. The action proposed by the White Paper involves rebalancing the different modes of transport; developing high quality rail services; promoting short sea crossings; inland waterways and combined transport; and promoting fair competition between the sectors. New TENs projects are needed to address existing and future bottlenecks, along with a sufficient infrastructure charging policy. In aviation, I fully support the SKY initiative.
I do not feel that harmonisation of fuel taxes has an essential part to play. Road transport will continue to be the dominant mode of transport for Member States for which alternative modes are not possible and not realistic. Even where they are, what will it take to get us out of our cars?
In conclusion, while road safety is a major issue and death and injury on our roads are at frightening levels – 40 000 per annum in the EU – like many colleagues I balk at yet another European agency and feel that national authorities should be able to plan strategies suitable to their particular set of circumstances."@en1
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