Operating licences for railway tunnels in the central Rhine Valley and ban on trains running at night

16.6.2015

Question for written answer E-009887-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Norbert Neuser (S&D)

The St. Goar-Oberwesel section of the Antwerp-Genoa rail freight corridor, in the central Rhine Valley, includes three rail tunnels.

Does the Commission plan to withdraw the operating licences for these tunnels at some stage, or will it consider making the award of an operating licence contingent on compliance with more stringent European safety rules?

In answers to previous questions the Commission stated that local speed restrictions for noisy freight trains and a ban on such trains running at night would not be consistent with EC law.

There are reports, however, that a ban on running at night has been imposed on trains using the stretch of track between Tulln and St. Pölten in Austria. Can the Commission confirm that these reports are accurate and, if so, say whether the ban on trains running at night is consistent with EC law?

Can the Commission say if a ban on night running or speed limits for noisy freight trains have been imposed on any other lines in Europe?