Austria has imposed a number of strict requirements on business transport on one of Europe's most important motorway networks. The EU is now criticizing it.
For several years, Austria has tightened its grip on commercial transport that takes place in the Brenner Pass – the mountain range between Austria and Italy.
The Austrians say that the country's inhabitants suffer from noise, long queues and high emission figures from the heavy traffic. And the country will not accept that, says the explanation.
But Italy has long criticized the Austrians' way of limiting traffic. And last week, the EU officially stated that Austria is violating the law on free movement within the union's borders.
However, Austria refuses to give in on that ground. Instead, the country claims that truck traffic is being restricted out of sheer spite. This is done to protect life and general health, say the Austrian authorities.
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However, Italy's criticism of Austrian conditions is not alone. The industry organization International Road Freight Association (IRU) also expresses criticism. In fact, the trade association believes that the EU's statement is 'crystal clear'.
Italy now has the opportunity to drag Austria before the so-called European Court of Justice in an attempt to resolve the conflict. But it is not only heavy commercial transport that Austria is cracking down on.
Another part of the ban also affects Danes who choose to sing on their summer holidays. Read more about it here .
Speaking of trucks, the extra-long trucks were finally approved for use on Danish roads. It must, among other things, weigh up a kilometer tax, which the Danish SVM government will hit all trucks in Denmark already from next year.
On average, the government expects that from New Year it will cost DKK 1.30 to cover one kilometer in a truck on Danish roads. Despite large protests, the responsible minister will not roll back the law. On the contrary, he says he is proud of the law. Read more here .
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