Leading UK organisations discuss EU transport priorities for 2014 and beyond

 UK Transport in Europe 4^th Annual Transport Policy Forum

3-4 December 2013, European Parliament, Brussels

The annual UKTiE European Transport Policy Forum focused on the future of the UK and EU transport industry in light of the upcoming European elections and the appointment of a new European Commission.

High level speakers and leading UK Transport companies and organisations came together to discuss key themes for the sector, contributing to the resounding success of this years’ Forum, hosted by Mrs Jacqueline Foster MEP and sponsored by NATS.

Speakers and Attendance

Delegates had the chance to take part in a productive exchange of views with key figures from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the UK and German Permanent Representations to the EU, as well as leading UK organisations from the transport sector.

Among the speakers from the Institutions and Perm Reps:

• Jacqueline Foster MEP – Patron of UKTiE and Conservative Transport Spokesman, European Parliament
• Brian Simpson MEP – Chair of the Transport Committee and Labour Transport Spokesman, European Parliament
• Saïd El Khadraoui MEP – Member of the Transport Committee, European Parliament
• Phil Bennion MEP – Member of the Transport Committee, European Parliament
• Knut Fleckenstein MEP – Member of the Transport Committee, European Parliament
• Keir Fitch – Deputy Head of Cabinet, Vice President Siim Kallas (Transport), European Commission
• Sian Prout – Head of Single European Railway Area – DG MOVE, European Commission
• Matthew Baldwin –  Director for Aviation, DG MOVE, European Commission
• Rémi Mayet – Deputy Head of the Unit, Ports & Inland Navigation, DG MOVE, European Commission
• Marjeta Jager – Director for Policy Coordination and Security, DG MOVE, European Commission
• Tim Figures – Counsellor, Competitiveness and Markets, UK Permanent Representation to the EU
• Johann Colsman – Head of Transport, Building and Urban Development, Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU

Among the speakers from industry:

• Jonathan Astill, Director International Strategy, NATS
• Tony Berkeley – Chairman, Rail Freight Group (RFG)
• Jimena Bernar –  Senior EU Affairs Manager, Hutchison Europe
• Roger Cobbe, Policy Director, Arriva Trains
• Tom King, Head of Government Affairs, British Airways
• David Leighton and Alexandra Borrett – Associated British Ports

The transport companies and organisations represented included:

 AOPA UK, Arriva Trains, Associated British Ports, British Airways, CAA, Eurostar, Freightliner, Hutchison Europe, Kapsch Traffic, NATS, ORR, Rail Delivery Group, Rail Freight Group (RFG), Transport for London and Virgin Atlantic.

Conclusions 

Speaking at the concluding session Mark Watts, UKTiE co-ordinator, said:

“UKTiE supports the EU in developing a single European transport area that works. The UK has one of the most successful and open transport markets in the EU, as is rightly proud to be a leader in delivering a European approach to transport. We seek to work with our partners to share best practice and build on that success. In particular we believe regulation should be one of many tools to build a single European transport area, consultation should be deepened and regulatory impact assessments should be more robust and transparent. Finally the review and revision of existing regulations, to produce optimal and outcome based results, requires greater prioritisation, a more considered legislative process and greater focus on implementation and compliance.”

He concluded:

“In the coming year we will work with our Government and MEPs to advance our agenda and set out our priorities for the incoming European Commission.”