As part of the update of its program for the construction of trans-European corridors (TEN-T), the European Commission proposed at the end of July to forget the planned connections with Russia and Belarus. On the contrary, it intends to integrate Moldova and Ukraine, even taking one of these great axes to the port of Mariupol, destroyed and occupied by Moscow.
According to this text, which will be discussed by the States and the MEPs, Brussels also wants the new railway lines to be built adopting the standard width of 1,435 meters, and then the existing lines that are part of these corridors adapt to this width. , destined to become the norm throughout the continent.
Major railway lines in most European countries already adhere to a 1,435m inner gauge (chosen as standard in Britain in 1845 and widely used around the world ever since). Also known as the “normal route”.
But other networks have different gauges on the margins of the continent, requiring transfers or the use of complex equipment when the trains have to continue on their way: the former USSR with the Baltic States, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (1,520 m). , Finland (1,524 m), Ireland (1,600 m) and the Iberian Peninsula (1,668 m).
Better interoperability of rail transport
“The migration to the European standard gauge (…) is aimed at better interoperability of rail transport in the Union and with neighboring third countries,” explained a spokesman.
A reversal of history, when we were still considering building a “Russian gauge” (1,520m) line through Slovakia to connect Ukraine with Vienna, Austria. There was then talk of importing Chinese goods more easily by rail.
A conversion plan to be presented in 2 years
Beyond the new lines, the interested States will have two years to present a reconversion plan to Brussels, once the new TEN-T program has been adopted. They will have “a margin of appreciation” and will be able to decide the schedule, the Commission insisted. But they will have to justify a possible refusal, supported by a socioeconomic analysis. “The long-term goal is to create a unified European network,” says the European text. Ireland, completely isolated, is not worried.
In practice, Spain has already built its new lines and has linked the port of Barcelona with France on standard gauge. At the other end of the continent, the future Rail Baltica link will have to cross the three Baltic States from north to south and connect them to the Polish network, also adopting a standard gauge.
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Converting the rest of the network would be symbolically important but difficult to achieve in the short term, Estonian Infrastructure Minister Riina Sikkut and Latvian Transport Minister Talis Linkaits say, according to Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
If you don’t talk about a lot of money, the Commission dangles European subsidies, in the name of eliminating “barriers to interoperability”. A problem to avoid is the appearance of compatibility problems within the same country, between European corridors reconstructed in standard gauge and lines of local interest that have maintained their 19th century gauge. The 27 should seize the text in September.
The Finns, whose railway network is only connected to the Swedish railways by a single line in the north of the country, have already expressed their disagreement. Its transport minister, Timo Harakka, asks for an exemption, considering that changing the gauge “would not be feasible from an economic point of view or from an operational point of view.”
Source: BFM TV
