The last fundamental reform of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) guidelines dates back to 2013. The overarching goal is to build an effective EU wide and multimodal network for rail, inland waterways, short sea shipping routes and roads which are linked to urban nodes, ports, airports and multimodal freight terminals. The current revision aims to address the insufficient and incomplete TEN-T infrastructure and standards, removing bottlenecks, improving safety and network connectivity and enabling increased transport activity by more sustainable transport modes like rail. Furthermore, it endeavours to improve the governance instrument and interactions between the Rail Freight Corridors and the TEN-T. In December 2021, the European Commission presented its proposal to the two co-legislators, the European Parliament and the European Council.
On the 5th of December 2022, the Transport Ministers of the various EU countries will meet to discuss the general position on this important file. Before this Transport Council meeting, UIP, together with the European rail associations ERFA, CER, UIRR and UNIFE have sent a joint letter to the Transport Ministers, emphasizing the importance of keeping the level of ambition of the European Commission proposal with regard to rail infrastructure activities and pointed out several crucial points to consider.
A lowering of ambitions, e.g. allowing for uncoordinated flexibility and divergent national exemptions, would endanger the goal of a fully interoperable EU-wide rail network. UIP advocates for the right regulatory framework that will enable rail to act as the true backbone of European freight transport with a view to achieving the EU’s climate objectives.