Source: European Parliament
Regulation (EU) 2024/1679[1] introduced the obligation for the Member States to ensure, by 31 December 2040, the development of safe and secure parking areas (SSPAs) certified in accordance with EU standards along the roads of the core and extended core trans-European transport network (TEN-T), with an average maximum distance of 150 kilometres between two SSPAs.
The Commission supports the Member States in their efforts to build more SSPAs, notably by providing funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) .
For the realisation of projects across the EU, CEF Transport made available EUR 250 million each in 2022 and 2023, and EUR 320 million for the call for proposals of 2024, supporting both the creation of new SSPAs and the upgrade of existing parking areas in line with EU safety and security standards .
Since 2022, when the Commission adopted the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1012[2], 35 SSPAs have been built and certified in the EU, providing 4 943 parking spots. Furthermore, the realisation of 49 CEF projects is currently ongoing, with 4 614 parking places in SSPAs expected to be added.
The Commission recognises numerous advantages in public-private partnerships (PPPs) for accelerating the implementation of SSPAs.
Firstly, PPPs can alleviate the financial burden on governments while introducing expertise and innovative technologies, thereby enhancing project efficiency and quality.
Secondly, by transferring certain risks to private partners, PPPs ensure more reliable and timely project delivery. Lastly, leveraging private financing reduces the reliance on public funds, thus expediting the development process and fostering economic growth.
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1153 and (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 (OJ L 2024/1679, 28.6.2024).
- [2] Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1012 of 7 April 2022 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the establishment of standards detailing the level of service and security of safe and secure parking areas and to the procedures for their certification (OJ L 170, 28.6.2022, p. 27).