By Henrietta Billings - 16th March 2005
Brussels has announced that it is launching further legal action against four national governments for failing to implement key railway infrastruture laws.
The EU's highest court in Luxembourg ruled against Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and the UK in 2004 for not implementing three directives from the first railway package back in 2003.
"Railways must be able to compete more effectively with road transport. Equal access to railway infrastructure is essential, as well as transparent allocation of infrastructure charges," said Jacques Barrot, EU transport chief on Wednesday.
Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and the UK have already been singled out by the European Court of Justice in 2004 for not adopting the first railway package into national law by 15 May 2003.
The European Commission has now begun the first stage of infringement proceedings - involving a letter of formal notice to the four member states.
The case could end in the European Court of justice with hefty fines for non-compliance.
The aim of the legislation is to open up the international rail freight market and to create more efficient and reliable cross-border operations.
Under the 2001 first railway package, member states are required to guarantee access rights to the trans-European Rail Freight Network for international rail freight services, set charges for the use of infrastructure, and define transparent and fair rules and procedures for the allocation of train paths.
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