The financing of highways through "SEMCAs" (societes d'economie mixtes de construction d'autoroutes or mixed economy companies for the construction of highways) is guaranteed by the French State. According to Agir pour l'Environnement (Action for the Environment) the debt has now risen above 250 Billion French Francs.
The European Court of Justice has recently ruled that tolls are subject to sales tax and France is liable to the European Union for those which have not been collected since 1983. At present, toll booths in some areas are not maintained due to lack of national and local funding.
The European Court of Justice has recently ruled that tolls are subject to sales tax and France is liable to the European Union for those which have not been collected since 1983. At present, toll booths in some areas are not maintained due to lack of national and local funding.
Agir pour l'Environnement estimates that road haulage covers only 60% of the investment and maintenance of the highway system. They also estimate that this actually covers only 40% of its total cost., if other related costs are included in the calculculations, adding that were it to cover the total costs, this mode of transportation would not meet competitive criteria.
An estimated 8Billion French Francs are needed to revive rail transport, according to Agir pour l'Environnement, while 30Billion French Francs will be spent on planned new roads and their maintenance, the latter causing greater environmental damage and increased emissions.
Christiane Martens
An estimated 8Billion French Francs are needed to revive rail transport, according to Agir pour l'Environnement, while 30Billion French Francs will be spent on planned new roads and their maintenance, the latter causing greater environmental damage and increased emissions.
Christiane Martens