The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against the UK and France, saying they have failed to implement legislation to open the market for rail services in the Channel Tunnel.
It argue that compliance with EU legislation would contribute to more competition, improving both freight and passenger services.
The infringements raised with France and the United Kingdom concern the lack of independence of the rail infrastructure manager of the Channel Tunnel and the insufficient implementation of provisions in the first railway package concerning rail access charging, the independent regulatory body and capacity allocation as regards the tunnel.
The commission has given the two countries two months to respond satisfactorily. If they fail to react satisfactorily, then the next step in the infringement procedure would be a reasoned opinion from the Commission requesting the Member States in question to fully implement the first railway package.
