Question for written answer E-006630-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Herbert Dorfmann (PPE)

Due to the disruption of the Genoa-Rotterdam rail corridor following the accident at Rastatt in August 2017, rail freight has had to be diverted from the Rhine valley to other, sub-optimal routes for over two months. During this period, it has not been possible to adopt other solutions which would ensure an acceptable level of efficiency for delivery services.

The total absence of risk prevention measures and crisis management, and of appropriate solutions and alternative routes along the same corridor, have caused economic meltdown. The rail companies have had to re-route freight or reschedule deliveries, many contracts have been suspended or transferred to road haulage, and it has only been possible to run 30% of regular rail traffic. There have been serious delays in services, sometimes lasting for days, along many corridors, including the Brenner Pass.

Can the Commission therefore answer the following questions:

• —Will it propose solutions to deal effectively with any other accidents that might occur on the TEN-T routes?
• —What has it done so far to ascertain responsibility for the accident?
• —Who is liable to pay compensation for the losses and economic damage caused to companies by the Rastatt accident?