Trans-European Transport Networks

HC Deb 08 November 1995 vol 265 cc901-2W

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the decision by the EU Council of Transport Ministers in respect of the amendments Nos. 12, 162, 163 and 166, concerning environmental standards, from the European Parliament to the European Community proposal on trans-European transport networks. [41763]

Mr. Watts

A common position on the draft guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network was adopted by the Transport Council on 28 September. In reaching this common position, the Council considered amendments Nos. 12, 162, 163 and 166 and agreed to an amendment to article 5 of the draft guidelines. This provides for environmental concerns to be integrated into the design and development of the network. The Council agreed that there was no need to include an article devoted specifically to environmental protection since this was already dealt with adequately in the draft proposals.