Environmental aspects of the plan to plant trees along Lisbon's second ring road, with implications for air and road safety
1.2.2016
Question for written answer E-000915-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
José Inácio Faria (ALDE)
Lisbon City Council intends to upgrade the second ring expressway (‘Segunda Circular’) by April 2017. This road serves as a transit link between the towns of Cascais/Sintra and the motorway to the North. As part of the project, 8 000 trees are to be planted along a road that passes within a few metres of Lisbon International Airport. Doubts have been raised over the project, in particular as regards the failure to have the necessary reports drawn up in advance. Questions have also been raised as to whether the planned works comply with the General Municipal Plan, and in particular Lisbon’s green plan. Regarding Regulation 216/2008:
- 1.Can the Commission verify that Lisbon City Council has assembled all the relevant information, possibly including environmental impact assessments, in order to take an informed decision on the planting of trees along the planned stretch of road, which could lead to increased numbers of small birds in the area adjacent to the airport and consequently an increased risk for aircraft?
- 2.Can the Commission guarantee that there is no better alternative to Celtis australis, such as the native Nerium oleander, which is appreciated in the scientific community for its positive impact in reducing heavy metal pollution along roads where it is planted, and whose toxicity means that birds cannot use it as a nesting or roosting site?