Subject: Funding of the new Lisbon-Porto Iberian-gauge rail link
The Lisbon-Porto line, as part of the EU Core Network, was originally to use a European standard nominal track gauge in line with Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 and was due to become operational in 2030 in line with Regulation (EU) 2021/1153.
Under Article 16a of the amended proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, repealing Regulation (EU) 1315/2013, duly justified temporary exemptions may be accepted, maintaining the target date of 2030 and the 1 435 mm track gauge.
A number of factors must be considered in this connection:
- Bearing in mind the loss of competitiveness in the road transport sector, many Portuguese business sectors will be unable to compete in trade with Europe across the Pyrenees, leaving Portugal isolated from European markets, if the core network lines are not fully interoperable.
- The new Lisbon-Porto line (as part of TEN-T networks for mixed traffic) is scheduled for completion by 2030.
In view of this:
1. Will the Commission provide funding for the new Iberian-gauge Lisbon-Porto line under the CEF (Connecting Europe Facility)?
2. Has Portugal already applied for rail funding under the CEF for 2021-2027? If so, what amounts are involved?
3. Does the Commission know whether Portugal is channelling structural and investment funding into rail projects?
Submitted: 16.1.2023
Answer given by Ms Vălean on behalf of the European Commission
(6 March 2023)
On 5 December 2022 the Council reached a general approach on the Commission’s proposal for a new Regulation on Union Guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (1).
Article 16a therein states that Member States shall ensure that any new railway line of the extended core network and of the core network (i.e. any line for which construction works have not started on the date of entry into force of the new Regulation) provides for the European standard nominal track gauge of 1435 mm.
This requirement is considered to be met when 1435 mm track gauge trains can circulate on the infrastructure at the latest by 2030 for the core network and by 2040 for the extended core network.
The general approach therefore does not prevent Portugal from starting to build the new Porto — Lisbon high-speed railway line in Iberian gauge (1668 mm) prior to entry into force of the new Regulation, and subsequently migrating the line to European gauge no later than December 2030.
The European Parliament has not yet taken position on the Commission’s proposal.
Under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), substantial support has been provided for railway projects in Portugal, notably on the international north and south connections to Spain, i.e. Aveiro — Vilar Formoso and Sines — Elvas (2).
For information on project proposals submitted by Portuguese applicants under the CEF call 2022, we suggest the Honourable Members contact the national authorities. The evaluation and selection process should be completed in June 2023.
1 ∙ ⸱ https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/12/05/trans-european-transport-network-ten-t-council-adopts-its-position-to-ensure-sustainable-
connectivity-in-europe/
2 ∙ ⸱ See project information in the following public dashboard: https://europa.eu/!vYHV93
| | ) Concerning the Cohesion Policy Funds 2021-2027, Portugal earmarked EUR 1.3 billion for interventions on its rail network, including infrastructure and rolling stock. Additional interventions are envisaged for railways in metropolitan areas.