European Parliament adopts resolution on urban mobilityItem Added 07 May 2009MEPs overwhelmingly support the need for an action plan on urban mobility during a plenary vote on 23 April.
The European Parliament signalled its disquiet at European Commission delays on an urban transport action plan, when MEPs voted by 324 votes to 11 to adopt the Transport Committee’s own proposals on urban mobility. Fifteen MEPs abstained from the vote.
Their vote means the EU now has a draft action plan tackling congestion and air quality – this should have been published by the European Commission at the end of 2008.
But it does not compel the Commission to implement the recommendations of the plan, including a system of enforcing criminal and non-criminal cross border traffic offences supported by SPARKS members.
However, the overwhelming consensus among MEPs does give Commissioner Antonio Tajani greater authority to overcome the reluctance of a group of member states– who are concerned that a Commission initiative would not respect the principle of subsidiarity.
The action plan sets out 20 measures to improve urban transport across Europe including funding for mobility studies, an information network, the sale of urban transport securities, reactivation of the CIVITAS programme, improved urban mobility statistics and databases, better access for people with reduced mobility, increased funding for intelligent transport networks and integrated plans for towns over 100,000 inhabitants.
SPARKS Network manager Bill Blakemore said: “We are pleased to see such overwhelming support from MEPs for proposals that will improve life for residents and drivers. And also pleased they have listened to our members and taken on board the need for cross-border enforcement to be part of the plan.”
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