Brno Greens: The acquisition of EU funds for the construction of road R43 is at risk

Brno - The gain of European funds for the construction of the R43 road, which is supposed to connect Brno with the Pardubice region, is, according to the Brno Greens, at risk. The Ministry of the Environment has now resumed the environmental impact assessment that had been halted twice, but it is proceeding according to a law that has been invalid for six years and allegedly does not meet the European Commission's requirements. According to the Greens, this makes it impossible for the Czech Republic to apply for European funds for the construction of the road, Martin Robeš from the Green Party told journalists today.
    Jarmila Krebsová from the Ministry of the Environment told ČTK that the ministry began assessing the environmental impact of the construction when the old law was in effect. According to this regulation, they must complete the assessment. Only if new facts emerge after its conclusion and it is necessary to restart the proceedings would the ministry proceed according to the new law, Krebsová said.
    The Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD) is responsible for the construction of the expressway. Its spokesperson, Martina Vápeníková, told ČTK that the ŘSD is not yet addressing the financing of the construction because no territorial decision has been issued. Thus, according to her, it is not at all certain whether part of the construction would be funded by European money or if it would be fully covered by resources from the State Transport Infrastructure Fund.
    Vápeníková has no information regarding the possibility that the assessment of the environmental impact under the old law could complicate the acceptance of European grants. However, she believes that European officials may approach a project with such a history on an individual basis. Furthermore, until the construction begins, European legislation may change, Vápeníková stated.
    R43 is one of the most controversial transport constructions in South Moravia. While municipalities north of Brno are forming associations to lobby for the fastest possible construction, environmentalists and civic associations are protesting vehemently against the project. The loudest opponents are the residents of the Brno-Bystrc district through which the road is supposed to run. According to them, the transport construction would, among other things, damage the recreational area around the Brno Reservoir, and residents of Bystrc along with environmental organizations are therefore proposing that the road should run through the Boskovice Basin. This would bypass Brno from the west and connect to the D1 highway near Ostrovačice. On the other hand, supporters of the construction argue that then the road would not serve its purpose and drivers would rather use the current road number 43.
    According to the plans of the ŘSD, the section of R43 closest to Brno is expected to begin construction in 2010, its continuation in 2015, and the remaining part after that date. Following the environmental impact assessment that the authorities are currently conducting, a territorial process will follow. The ŘSD expects that it is precisely in this phase that the project may be most delayed due to protests from environmentalists and land acquisition, Vápeníková said.