Tomorrow, on 12 March, MEPs will vote in plenary session on the proposed amendments on the Weights & Dimensions Directive (96/53/EC) (WDD). A number of associations from the rail sector and beyond (CER, ERFA, UIRR, UIP, UNIFE, ETSC, Alpine Initiative, CIPRA International) have sent a joint letter to MEPs to express their concerns if the current text is adopted without further amendments.
A recent study performed by D-fine research institute highlighted that the envisaged text would increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the road sector by capturing market share from rail freight, a much greener and more energy efficient mode for transporting goods. It will result in an overall increase in emissions per tonne of transported goods, a tendancy that will go against the stated objectives of the Weights & Dimensions Directive and the overall EU's decarbonisation targets.
If voted in plenary sessions and left without further amendments, the text will mean more emissions, bigger trucks on European roads a serious risk of reverse modal shift from rail back to road.
The letter has been distributed to Member of the European Parliament ahead of the vote in plenary session tomorrow. It urges them to prioritise zero emission vehicles, and keep the current restrictions on circulation of "gigaliners".
Read the joint letter sent to MEPs below.
