Brenner transit traffic – CSU minister calls for EU proceedings against Austria

Bernreiter reiterated the legal opinion of the Free State of Bavaria, according to which the truck block handling carried out by Tyrol can only be allowed in serious and exceptional emergencies in order to avoid a traffic accident. However, current practice in Tyrol goes much further than the aforementioned application and thus systematically causes traffic problems in Bavaria. They also fear a precedent in Munich because the state of Salzburg is now also considering block processing at the Walserberg border crossing.

‘Residents and truck drivers have suffered for far too long’
A solution must finally be found for the transit traffic in the Alps, wrote Bernreiter to the President of the Commission: “Residents and truck drivers have suffered from traffic pollution for far too long. The problem must be solved constructively and together, and I am happy to be able to talk in Brussels. It is important that not only the national states, but also local and regional stakeholders are involved. The negative effects of the Tyrolean measures are much more noticeable locally than in the capitals.”

Bayern has been constructive in looking for solutions, Bernreiter continues. At the request of Tyrol, a terminal is being sought for the “rolling country road”, ie loading trucks onto the train. Bavaria also supports its neighbors on the Brenner toll. However, a point has now been reached where action must be taken in the interests of a free EU internal market. “If we can’t see any change, only legal action through the EU will help. Because at last something has to come on the Brenner Pass,” explains the Bavarian Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management.

Platter calls the request “ridiculous”
Given the rapidly increasing traffic congestion after the pandemic and ongoing renovation measures along the Brenner highway, such threatening gestures are “insane,” Platter reacted sharply to Bernreiter’s announcement. The burden on people, nature and infrastructure has “long been exceeded”, which is why Tyrol is sticking to “emergency measures – such as block handling or driving bans”, emphasized the Tyrolean governor. From the northern neighbors he demanded “action at last instead of new lip service”. The ball for a solution to the transit traffic in the Alps is in Germany, Platter clarified: “Even threatening gestures and threats of lawsuits cannot hide it.”

The Tyrolean Transport Minister, Ingrid Felipe (Greens) is also “annoyed” by the move of the Bavarian Transport Minister – Bavaria’s political representatives did not accept their invitation to exchange views on the future of transport last week through the Alpine region. In any case, the “proven dosing system” in Kufstein would be temporarily reactivated in the coming weeks. Due to some holidays and the start of the holiday season, there are very busy weekends, explains Felipe.

The traffic spokesman for NEOS, MP Andreas Leitgeb, now saw the northern neighbors as under pressure. “In Tyrol we are tunneling for billions, on the Italian side everything is on track when it comes to access routes and in Bavaria people prefer to berate rather than worry about the transfer of goods,” the pink politician muttered in a statement. broadcast.