News
BackThis week, once again EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas was invited by Members of the European Parliament to take part in a debate on Gigaliners – oversized HGVs weighing up to 60 tons with a length of 25 metres. Participants in the debate did not hold back with their repeated criticism of Commissioner Kallas, claiming that for years he had been declaring the cross-border use of these mega trucks illegal. However, only after having visited the International Road Union (IRU), an EU freight lobby, his opinion had suddenly changed and now he was fine with it, is their reproach.
The MEPs once again reminded EU Transport Commissioner Kallas that the existing Directive did not provide for the cross-border use of Gigaliners. Kallas himself had confirmed this back in 2010, said the Green MEP Cramer. Having visited the IRU, he had changed his mind and would now interpret the legal situation completely differently. In doing so, the guardian of laws had now assumed the role of lawbreaker.
A number of MEPs made it clear what they thought of the Commissioner’s action: they completely dismissed it. These Gigaliners would overburden the infrastructure, endanger road safety and ensure that rail transport would not have any chance to compete.
Siim Kallas defended himself by explaining that a new Directive proposal would be published soon, which is to improve the energy efficiency of HGVs, provide more aerodynamic in driver cabins, enable better drive systems and facilitate intermodal transport.
The Social Democrat MEP Ismail Ertug referred the Commissioner to a reply by the Commission he had just received in response to a written question: in it, Kallas said that he would stay with his new interpretation of the Directive. Apart from that, the planned revision of the Directive would not at all take cross-border transport into account. Even now, Gigaliners would drive between Germany and Denmark; Ertug asked Kallas explain his intentions in this case.
The only exception was the liberal representative Gesine Meissner, who voiced some concern because of the contradictory statements of the Commission; however, generally regarded cross-border Gigaliner transport to be a good thing. Her federal state – Lower Saxony – had made positive experiences with Gigaliners.
The Conservative MEP George Bach and the Social Democrat Brian Simpson voiced a completely different opinion: Gigaliners had a negative impact, for example on road safety, the environment, infrastructure and rail transport. Bach and Simpson urged Kallas to ensure that the new proposal will bring legal certainty with regard to the cross-border use of Gigaliners.
Kallas’ reaction to the criticism of EU representative was disappointing. Surely, one could have approached the matter differently, that had been a mistake of the Commission said the Commissioner. However, it should be left to the Member States, whether Gigaliner will be permitted for cross-border use – but this is exactly the worry of Gigaliner opponents: once some countries permit the cross-border use of these overlong HGVs, the pressure on states that are not in favour of this, will increase. At the end of statements Kallas’ succinct comment was that no proceedings had been initiated against Member States that had already permitted the cross-border use of Gigaliners
The new Directive proposal is expected for February/March 2013. However, considering the comments made by Siim Kallas it has to be feared that that the proposal will once again only take the interest of the industry into account.
A number of MEPs made it clear what they thought of the Commissioner’s action: they completely dismissed it. These Gigaliners would overburden the infrastructure, endanger road safety and ensure that rail transport would not have any chance to compete.
Siim Kallas defended himself by explaining that a new Directive proposal would be published soon, which is to improve the energy efficiency of HGVs, provide more aerodynamic in driver cabins, enable better drive systems and facilitate intermodal transport.
The Social Democrat MEP Ismail Ertug referred the Commissioner to a reply by the Commission he had just received in response to a written question: in it, Kallas said that he would stay with his new interpretation of the Directive. Apart from that, the planned revision of the Directive would not at all take cross-border transport into account. Even now, Gigaliners would drive between Germany and Denmark; Ertug asked Kallas explain his intentions in this case.
The only exception was the liberal representative Gesine Meissner, who voiced some concern because of the contradictory statements of the Commission; however, generally regarded cross-border Gigaliner transport to be a good thing. Her federal state – Lower Saxony – had made positive experiences with Gigaliners.
The Conservative MEP George Bach and the Social Democrat Brian Simpson voiced a completely different opinion: Gigaliners had a negative impact, for example on road safety, the environment, infrastructure and rail transport. Bach and Simpson urged Kallas to ensure that the new proposal will bring legal certainty with regard to the cross-border use of Gigaliners.
Kallas’ reaction to the criticism of EU representative was disappointing. Surely, one could have approached the matter differently, that had been a mistake of the Commission said the Commissioner. However, it should be left to the Member States, whether Gigaliner will be permitted for cross-border use – but this is exactly the worry of Gigaliner opponents: once some countries permit the cross-border use of these overlong HGVs, the pressure on states that are not in favour of this, will increase. At the end of statements Kallas’ succinct comment was that no proceedings had been initiated against Member States that had already permitted the cross-border use of Gigaliners
The new Directive proposal is expected for February/March 2013. However, considering the comments made by Siim Kallas it has to be feared that that the proposal will once again only take the interest of the industry into account.