Streamlining measures for advancing the realisation of the Trans-European Transport Network

Briefing 28-08-2018

Removing obstacles to investments in infrastructure projects, like the Trans-European Transport network (TEN-T), contributes to the Investment Plan for Europe. The European Commission recently issued a legislative proposal to streamline measures for advancing realisation of the TEN-T, as problems concerning delays and legal uncertainties impact on the effective completion. This briefing provides an initial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission’s impact assessment accompanying the above-mentioned proposal and assesses in particular to what extent the requirements of the Commission's own Better Regulation Guidelines have been respected. Overall, the impact assessment appears to provide a comprehensive problem analysis and to link it with objectives and options. However, some issues could have been further explained and the objectives could have been more specific. Greater attention could also have been given to the initiative’s impact on SMEs and more detailed information provided about the respondents in the consultation process.