Under the updates to the Railway Safety Directive, any rolling stock already approved for use in one Member State will have to be accepted in the other States, making it easier for trains to cross national borders unimpeded by red tape. After pressure from MEPs, a new mandatory certification system will ensure that all trains are properly maintained.
Brian Simpson MEP, Transport Spokesperson for the Socialist Group in the European Parliament and Member of the Transport Committee, commented: "Safety is our top priority and Parliament will continue to press for assurances that those in charge of rail infrastructure have a qualification from a specialised safety workshop. We want to make sure that the common safety standards introduced by the directive represent the very best currently in place in Member States." As the Vice-President of the Heritage Railways Association, Brian Simpson MEP was also instrumental in ensuring an exemption for heritage, museum and tourist trains from the new legislation. He added: "It is excellent news that the Parliament won its battle to reduce the burden on heritage organisations".
MEPs resisted plans by the Commission and Council to put in place only a voluntary common certification system. Robert Evans MEP, Labour Member of the Transport Committee, stated: "Parliament has succeeded in ensuring a level playing field on the issue of safety certification. Freight wagons will be governed by the new system within two years and all other vehicles will be covered within a decade. This is good for business and good for citizens."
An amendment to the directive put forward by the Parliament's rapporteur also seeks to ensure that safety provisions are not used to hold back railway expansion. The amendment calls for a cost-benefit analysis to be carried out before a new Common Safety Target is approved. Rail safety technology in use will be the most advanced in the world. A European Railway Traffic Management System will be phased in on the Trans-European transport network.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] This is the 2nd reading under the co-decision procedure of the Costa report: "Safety on the Community's railways". The first reading was voted in November. A joint debate will be held in the plenary session of the European Parliament on Tuesday July 8th and the report will be voted on Wednesday July 9th.
2 Approval by one Member State resulting in approval by all States is the principle of 'cross-acceptance through mutual recognition'.
For more information please call the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +32 479 790 053.
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