Transport of dangerous goods by railway

The Committee adopted the draft recommendation for second reading by its Chairman Mr Pam CORNELISSEN (NL, EPP) on a Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by rail. The aim of this directive is to transpose into EU law the international rules on the cross-border transport of dangerous goods by rail in order to standardize as far as possible the application of legislation to conditions of competition applicable to the various modes of transport used to transport dangerous goods. The Committee adopted amendments on ensuring passenger safety and on the right of Member States to adopt special rules or grant derogations for transport operations of local significance or for the transport of dangerous goods on narrow-gauge, dock or mountain railways. But it did not take on board Mr CORNELISSEN's proposal not to allow France and the UK to impose more stringent provisions for transport via the Channel tunnel. A majority felt that, given the special status of this tunnel, security provisions should be left to the competent authorities on both sides of the Channel.