RESOLUTION B3-1027, 1054, 1055 AND 1058/92

Resolution on the consequences of the road blockades in France

The European Parliament,

whereas the blockade of an essential part of the French road network has given rise to dramatic situations over the last week, and continues to do so,

whereas these actions by French lorry drivers, prompted by the planned introduction of a points-based driving licence, are seriously hampering economic life and the free movement of persons, goods and services and holding up thousands of holiday-makers on the roads,

whereas serious problems are arising in the road haulage sector owing to the failure on the part of the Commission and the Council to set up a common market in transport to include a policy of harmonization and whereas these problems may be further exacerbated after the completion of the internal market, if the necessary harmonization measures are not taken in good time,

whereas the farmers whose products are spoiling as a result of the blockades have themselves carried out protest actions, such as blocking the main railway lines, which have further hampered the transport of passengers and goods,

whereas this situation is becoming untenable in a number of countries such as Spain and Portugal owing to the lack of alternative routes,

Deplores the severe inconvenience being caused by these demonstrations in many sectors of the European economy, in particular for road hauliers and tourists, especially those travelling to Spain and Portugal and emphasizes the principle of freedom of movement for persons and goods throughout the Community;

Invites the protest leaders to lift their blockades immediately, so that road transport can return to normal, and emphasizes that the results of the dialogue achieved until now must not be jeopardized by further actions;

Calls on the Commission, in connection with a European road safety policy, to take the necessary measures to devise a European points-based driving licence and until then to ensure, by means of appropriate measures, that national penalty points systems are applied equally to infringements of rules by all motorists, regardless of their Member State of origin, travelling within the territory of the Member State concerned;

Calls on the Commission to take urgent steps to issue Community-wide measures with a view to

-bringing about a considerable improvement in compliance with current regulations concerning road safety and driving and rest times,

-regulating working hours,

-facilitating, by means of flanking measures, the adaptation of small and medium-sized undertakings to meet the requirements of the internal market;

Stresses that those who have suffered damage to themselves or their property should be given compensation and calls on the Commission, the Council and the French Government to ascertain without delay what measures within their field of competence can be taken to this end;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the French Government.