France, Italy vow to press on with high-speed Alpine rail link

EurActiv reported that the leaders of France and Italy pledged on the 3 December 2012 to push ahead with a high-speed rail link between Lyon and Turin despite a row over EU spending.

France's state auditor, the Court des Comptes, voiced concern in July 2012 that the project would undermine national efforts to comply with EU budget deficit rules.

Environmentalists and residents oppose the rail link, which would cut the travelling time from Paris to Milan to four hours from seven, and it has sparked violent protests.

ESO: Background information: Press Release: State aid: The Commission authorises the extension of funding by France and Italy of an experimental rolling motorway service in the Alps http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-aid-the-commission-authorises-the-extension-of-funding-by-france-and-italy-of-an-experimental-rolling-motorway-service-in-the-alps/

ESO: Background information: Memo: The Lyon-Turin new railway link – The Commission reiterates its full support for the project http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-the-lyon-turin-new-railway-link-the-commission-reiterates-its-full-support-for-the-project/

ESO: Background information: Italy high-speed rail tunnel: Fresh clashes in Alps http://www.europeansources.info/record/italy-high-speed-rail-tunnel-fresh-clashes-in-alps/

Wikipedia: Lyon Turin Ferroviaire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyon_Turin_Ferroviaire

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