EU Commission backs clean transport plan

Monday 07 November 2005

The third annual meeting of the European CIVITAS programme – which aims to pioneer the development of sustainable urban transport – has taken place in Nantes, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to the initiative. Presently, thirty-six countries across Europe are involved in CIVITAS, including Bristol, with projects set to be completed early next year. Another UK city, Preston, will continue its CIVITAS project until 2009.

Through the programme, the Commission plans to share knowledge of successful green transport schemes and technologies, in a bid to spread good practice throughout member states. Around €100m has been provided by the Commission so far through co-financing. More cities will be added to the programme in 2007, primarily to extend the scheme into new member states and accession countries.

“The pioneering experiments launched by the 36 CIVITAS cities provide the essential foundations for building an ambitious urban transport policy. Europe needs to help cities deal successfully with the growing congestion and pollution caused by urban transport,” commented Vice-President Jacques Barrot, the Commissioner for Transport.

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