A total of nine transport representatives have written a joint letter to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso demanding that transport policy be afforded a higher priority as befitting the important role the sector plays in the development of the European Union.

The letter was co-written by representatives from European road, rail, inland waterway, maritime and air sectors and called for a more comprehensive and stronger commitment from the Commission to transport policy.

The letter claimed that the transport sector is a vital cog in the economic, social, and environmental and employment mechanics that are intrinsic to the EU, with a cohesive and robust transport policy crucial to an integrated, prosperous and successful European Union.

In July Commission President Barroso published the ‘Political Guidelines for the New Commission’ in which the transport sector received scant coverage. Only one reference was made to it in the entire document, that in reference to the decarbonisation of the transport sector.

Analysts claim that the transport sector is the backbone of Europe economically, with the field accounting for 7% of total GDP and over 5% of total employment within the union. When related industries such as servicing, manufacturing, IT and maintenance are also factored in this figure almost doubles.

Aside from the decarbonisation question, there are other factors facing the transport sector as it seeks to gain a stronger foothold in EU policy. Among these are the effects of an ageing population which is drifting more and more to urban areas, along with safety and security, migration and internal mobility and the adaptation of new infrastructures and technologies.