Client: European Parliament
Period: December 2006 – December 2007

The realisation of the Trans-European Network (TEN-T) is one of the key elements of EU transport policy. The total cost of completing the 30 priority axes is estimated at €  235 billion. If all the other projects of common interest, but not on the priority list, are included, the total cost of completing TEN-T exceeds €  600 billion. Funding is envisaged to come largely from the Member States supported by EU funds, though lack of funds and procedural and technical difficulties have already slowed down progress on a lot of projects of common interest. Without adequate funding the realisation of TEN-T seems destined to face severe difficulties in the future.

ECORYS has been commissioned by the European Parliament to deliver a study on the various types of additional innovative financing instruments available which could complement the current EU grant financing of TEN-T. The study is to include a short description and an assessment of the pros and cons as well as of the potential leverage of the different financial instruments which might act as catalysts for public and private investors.

The central question to be answered is: Which are the most promising financial instruments and how should they be applied and combined to achieve an optimal result regarding the successful realisation of TEN-T as initially scheduled.

For this purpose ECORYS provides the following services:

• Identifying possible financial instruments and analysing the pros and cons;
• Assessing the most important obstacles for private capital to participate in TEN-T projects;
• Assessing the legal, financial and economic conditions needed for successful PPP projects;
• Recommending on policy and legislative measures required on EU level to use the potential of new financial instruments.