Regulation (EU) 2020/2222 on certain aspects of railway safety and connectivity with regard to the cross-border infrastructure linking the Union and the United Kingdom through the Channel Fixed Link

What it is

to establish interim measures to ensure the continuity of cross-border rail services with the United Kingdom after the end of the transition period. PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: the Treaty between France and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the construction and operation by private concessionaries of a Channel fixed link, signed in Canterbury on 12 February 1986, established an intergovernmental committee to supervise all matters concerning the construction and operation of the Channel Fixed Link. The European Parliament adopted by 684 votes to 3, with 2 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects of railway safety and connectivity with regard to the cross-border infrastructure linking the Union and the United Kingdom through the Channel Fixed Link. Parliament adopted its position at first reading in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, taking over the Commission's proposal. At the end of the transitional period established by the agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, Union law will no longer be applicable to the part of the Channel fixed link under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. In view of the economic importance of the Channel Fixed Link for the EU, it is essential that the operation of the Channel Fixed Link continues after 1 January 2021. The proposed Regulation aims to ensure the continuity of cross-border rail services with the United Kingdom after the end of the transitional period mentioned in the agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU. It lays down transitional arrangements for certain safety certificates and safety approvals issued under Directive 2004/49/EC and for certain licences of railway undertakings issued under Directive 2012/34/EU.

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