THE UK has been left out of major trans-European transport plans set to be signed off by the EU.
As a result of Brexit, the UK is largely excluded from plans to significantly increase transport connectivity across the continent – including Ireland.
Earlier this week, the European Commission welcomed an agreement between the European Parliament and the European Council on the regulation underpinning the trans-European transport network (TEN-T).
The revised plan laid out mandatory targets which include ensuring trains in the network travel at 160km/h or faster by 2040 and rolling out a single European signalling system.
Furthermore, it states that airports dealing with more than 12 million passengers a year will have to be connected by long-distance rail in a bid to improve connectivity and bolster rail against domestic flights.
Maritime shipment networks are also set to be improved while more safe and secure car parking will be added to the extended road network.
Improved transport links to the EU-neighbouring countries of Ukraine and Moldova are also on the cards.
Adina Vălean, the European Commissioner for Transport, said: “This is a landmark agreement for the EU.
“Europe needs a transport network that addresses the mobility concerns of our citizens and businesses, both sustainable and resilient, and that builds a bridge with our neighbours, in particular Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.
“We are now equipped to complete that network.”
It comes after the UK Government scrapped its plans for the Manchester leg of the HS2 project in October.
Rishi Sunak said the money earmarked for HS2 would instead be diverted into other public transport projects for the north of England and the Midlands in the “Network North” plans.
However, the Prime Minister sparked outrage after announcing that some of the money saved through the cancellation of the HS2 extension to Manchester would be spent on repairing roads in London.
