TEN-T solutions: The Way Forward

Nuno Lecoq/LPN Castro Verde SPA in Portugal has already been damaged by construction of the road element of Priority Project 8 Multimodal axis Portugal/Spain-rest of Europe. Zoom In | Hi-Res

Ebbe Mortensen The Øresund fixed link between Denmark and Sweden shows it is possible to design projects, which reconcile transport and environment and minimise impacts on Natura 2000. Zoom In | Hi-Res

The EU’s transport and nature policies do not have to be on a collision course. The vast majority of impacts can be avoided if planning of transport projects fully integrates Natura 2000 considerations.

NGOs’ recommendations to EU decision-makers, international funding institutions, corridor coordinators, national transport developers and private investors

Action needed by the European Commission and European Investment Bank

• Better understanding of the potential impacts of the entire TEN-T network on Natura 2000 – rigorous assessment is needed urgently
• Resolving the conflicts – creation of a strong mechanism to resolve TEN-T and Natura 2000 conflicts
• Only funding sustainable projects - EU and European Investment Bank funding must not be provided to unsustainable projects such as those damaging Natura 2000 – a fully operational system for scrutinizing transport spending should be established
• Complying with EU environmental law - stronger enforcement of EU nature legislation and quality control of environmental assessments in relation to transport projects
• Data/information - Better accessibility to up to date TEN-Ts and Natura 2000 spatial (GIS) data

Action needed by European Project Coordinators

• Understanding the impacts - High quality Strategic Environmental Assessments and strategic Appropriate Assessments should be carried out for all international corridor
• Project Coordinators should coordinate assessments and resolve conflicts

Action needed by national Governments

• Stronger emphasis on development of sustainable projects - assessment of alternative solutions (including innovative ones to make transport more sustainable and biodiversity friendly) should be given more priority
• Need high quality assessments - robust Strategic Environmental Assessments and strategic Appropriate Assessments for national sections of international corridors and robust Environmental Impact Assessments and project level Appropriate Assessments for individual projects
• Data/information - Better accessibility to up to date TEN-T and Natura 2000 data and better monitoring and collection of data on impacts of transport on Natura 2000

Publications

Click here to download the report 'TEN-T and Natura 2000: the way forward'
Click here to download the leaflet with the main findings of the report

Contact

For more information contact: Dr. Helen Byron, helen.byron@rspb.org.uk