In January we reported on the TRAN (Transport and Tourism) committees Public Hearing on the European Commission’s proposals for European wide Road Worthiness Testing (RWT), registration documents for vehicles and roadside inspections of commercial vehicles.
The hearing involving two expert panels, with those on the panel giving an opinion on roadworthiness checks, road safety as well as their impact on citizens and business.
The committee of MEPs gave their opinions and responded to opinions given by the panel experts.
The MEP in charge – Rapporteur – of the European Parliaments position on the Road Worthiness Testing proposal within this committee is German Werner Kuhn of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats). At the public hearing he said that, “MEPs dealing with the proposal for the European Parliament, all have different perspectives, different focuses and different priority interests.”
Speaking Out
Jacqueline Foster Conservative MEP- North West England and Conservative Spokesman for Transport & Tourism was one of the MEPs who spoke at the public hearing. She spoke out to make the point that MEPs are entitled to raise questions and their views to opinions and if guests are not happy with that then so be it!
We forwarded to Jacqueline Foster (5th March) concerns regarding the European Commission’s proposed new Regulation on Periodic Road Testing and have received a reply.
Jacqueline Foster explains in her letter that she has already raised concerns. She explains the process of the proposal, her concerns about EU interference, the threat to smaller MoT Stations as well as costs to providers of equipment with poor road safety value.
She continues by stating that her believe is there is limited road safety benefit from including motorcycles in the proposal and reiterates the Ministers within the European Council have listened to the concerns to exclude motorcycles and reclassify the proposal as a Directive.
In her response, she also mentions a strong Conservative uproar, which has the European Commission backing down from its original plans regarding modified classic cars.
Finally she writes that she has already been involved with meetings with Government colleagues and representatives from the Department for Transport and is ensuring the interests of the UK are safeguarded.
Our thanks to Jacqueline Foster for her reply and reassurances on the work she has already completed and is continuing to do.
Jacqueline Foster Conservative MEP- North West England – Conservative Spokesman – Transport & Tourism
“The proposed regulation, which is part of the ‘Roadworthiness Package’, was published by the European Commission in July last year. The process of scrutiny in the Transport Committee is now underway and I recently attended a hearing on this matter where I raised many of your concerns.
The Transport Committee is expected to reach its view on the proposal in May 2013. It is then expected that the proposal will be voted by the full Parliament in July 2013. After this, the matter will be referred back to the European Commission and the Council of Ministers, which is comprised of national Transport Ministers from across the EU. I realise this process is very bureaucratic, you will be able to follow its progress through the web site of the European Parliament.
As a Conservative MEP for the North West, and as Spokesman on Transport & Tourism for the Conservatives in the European Parliament, I am concerned that this is yet further interference by the EU in matters which, certainly in the case of the United Kingdom, are handled perfectly well. I, too, share your concern that the original Commission proposal will threaten to put smaller local MoT stations out of business. The Conservative party is in favour of new equipment that is cost effective and provides a material gain in road safety. However some test equipment specified in the original European Commission proposal will simply drive up costs for providers, whilst being of poor road safety value.
Furthermore, the Commission has proposed to have L-Class vehicles (Motorcycles) included in the Periodic roadworthiness tests. I believe that there is limited road safety benefit from including motorcycles in the proposal. I am glad to see that Ministers within the European Council have listened to our concerns and have adopted a general approach to exclude motorcycles and reclassify the proposal as a Directive which would give each Member State far more control over the right course of action. These changes were welcomed by all Member States during a recent European Council meeting.
On a last note, I am glad to report that following a strong Conservative uproar, the Commission has decided to back down from its original plans to have modified classic cars taken off the road. It has been recognised, even within the European Council, that classic cars should be exempted from EU legislation, and that defining and testing such vehicles should remain the responsibility of the Member State.
I have already held meetings with my Government colleagues and representatives from the Department for Transport regarding this issue; I will work closely with them throughout the legislative process to ensure the interests of the UK are safeguarded.
With best wishes
Yours sincerely,
Jacqueline Foster MEP
Jacqueline Foster Conservative MEP- North West England
Conservative Spokesman – Transport & Tourism
European Parliament
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Brussels – 1047www.conservatives.com
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