Published 10 Oct, 2018
Impacts of CNC corridors in the Baltic Sea Region investigated by TENTacle
The analysis shows that CNC corridors will bring mostly positive effects to the transportation system and to the economy in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). At the same time the effects are spread unevenly between different regions and affects actors on different levels differently. Policymakers have to monitor the development closely and respond with alleviating measures ensuring a positive outcome for as many of the citizens of the BSR as possible.
The report finalised on September 5 2018, prepared by the TENTacle project, presents a qualitative analysis of economic, social and territorial impacts generated by the implementation of the TEN-T core network corridors (CNCs) in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR).
- Based on two exemplary cases on large infrastructure projects on the corridors (mega-projects of Fehmarnbelt link and Rail Baltica), it offers an input to the discourse on how to evaluate long-term social and economic consequences of the infrastructural developments along the EU priority transport axes in a larger territorial scale, says Project Leader Björn Hasselgren at the Swedish Transport Administration, who has been responsible for the report. The report will be the basis for further discussions in the TENTacle project and with stakeholders.
The impacts analysed in the report are those that can be attributed to the performance of the CNCs as a functional system and those that are, in consequence, enabled by that functional system (so-called WEI – wider economic impacts). The report makes a geographical projection of both the positive and the negative impacts, both as absolute and relative effects generated in different geographical areas. The focus is a qualitative assessment of impacts, while recognising the additional need for quantitative measurements of effects.
The report also examines the distribution of impacts among different categories of stakeholders in the BSR. Finally, the report proposes some possible governance and policy measures to strengthen the win-win effects of the CNCs implementation.
- Wiktor Szydarowski, Project Manager for TENTacle, points to the result that that the implementation of CNCs as studied for the two large infrastructure projects brings substantial impact on the modal choice and accessibility to the functional transport system.
Better commuting opportunities, extended labour markets and enhanced cross-border interoperability induces changes in the modal choice for passenger transport, provided the public transport operators ensure an adequate service offer. The CNCs thus results in wider mode and route choice options for freight owners and forwarders in managing the supply chains.
The CNC implementation generates diverse effects for the stakeholders, depending on their geographical location in relation to the corridor and the level they represent (national, regional, local). The changes induced by the new transport infrastructure are illustrated in relative terms as they denote the comparative shift of the stakeholder’s standing, as compared with other stakeholders impacted by the investment. The grade of assessed impacts gives valuable input for how expedient the policy and action response should be to contain the challenge for prosperity and growth and to achieve the win-win situation, also for areas with foreseen negative impacts.
- Maria Öberg, deputy Project Leader, draws the attention to the importance of the recommendations to stakeholders being divided and analysed into the different spatial levels.
National authorities should monitor closely the economic and societal effects of the CNCs and be prepared to take any necessary measures that might alleviate the negative re-distributional effects of the CNCs, but also those that strengthens the positive impacts of the CNCs.
Regions and local authorities have to monitor the relocation effects of the CNCs as the nodes become more attractive and void areas relatively less attractive. Planning for housing in growing cities and alleviating measures in less favoured areas is one important activity here. Supporting the organisation of new organisations and governance structures that can facilitate these processes is an important task at these levels.
The transport market actors have to both adapt their investments in terminals etc. to the CNCs. Transportation planning and the development of train and road transport capacity to meet the new and growing demand for transportation services is also crucial. Collaboration between transport market actors and public sector authorities in different organisational settings is key for the success of the CNC implementation.
Download the full TENTacle report Here.
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