Tyrol: 16 days of block checks planned for July-December

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There will be 16 days when block checks of lorries will be carried out on the Brenner Pass between July and December, according to the announcement of the government of Tyrol. Controls will start at 5 am, as usual, and 300 heavy goods vehicles will be allowed to cross the Pass every hour on these days.

“For the block check calendar of the second half of 2021, our experts analyzed the experiences of previous years and accordingly defined which are the critical days when the traffic management measure needed to be implemented. Block handling has already prevented dangerous situations and maintained traffic and supply security. This is the reason why we are sticking to this measure” – commented Tyrolean Governor Günther Platter on the announcement.

Dates of block checks in 2021:

  • 15 March
  • 10, 11, 12, May
  • 14 May
  • 21, 22 May
  • 25, 26, 27 May
  • 31 May
  • 1 June
  • 4 June
  • 5 July
  • 12 July
  • 19 July
  • 26 July
  • 27 October
  • 2, 3 November
  • 10 November
  • 17 November
  • 24 November
  • 12 December
  • 9 December
  • 13, 14, 15 December

Since the beginning of March 2020, block checks have been directed by an automatic system –  a combination of video cameras, traffic lights and overhead signs.

13 countries urge the European Commission to stop HGV bans in Tyrol

HGV checks in Tyrol have caused serious congestion in Germany and Italy in the  recent years. In 2018, for example, the congestion on the A39 motorway in Germany was 80 kilometres long after the block check was introduced on the Tyrolean side of the German-Austrian border. While the German police said the chaos became almost unmanageable, the Tyroleans politicians spoke about huge success.

It is thus unsurprising that neighbouring countries have harshly criticised the checks ever since their introduction. Even the European Commission itself called the measure “disproportionate” and added, “it doesn’t help much” as back in April 2018.

Still, block checks have been going on ever since, as have the protests from neighbouring countries. At the beginning of March, 13 transport organisations from 13 countries have urged the European Commission to take action against the multiple driving bans for heavy goods vehicles in the Austrian Region of Tyrol.

Transport organisations from Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania and Sweden and the International Road Transport Union wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for European Commission action against driving bans for HVGs in Tyrol.

These measures are contradictory, disproportionate and block the free movement of goods, breaching the fundamental law of the European Union” – reads the letter. –“Tyrol has already been condemned twice by the Court of Justice of the European Union for trying to restrict goods transport by road without providing adequate alternatives.”

The transportation organisation claims that driving bans, block clearances and night tolls are obstructing truck movements and leading to extreme congestion when roads reopen in the mornings. Tyrol authorities have indicated that goods could be transported by rail and combined transport instead, but the connections available are insufficient.


Photo credit @ IRU

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