The European Commission has announced that it has made €172 million of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) budget available in order to finance prospective infrastructure projects, in news which could create engineering jobs.

Furthermore, it has called for three new potential proposals for such initiatives.

There are two categories of nominated plans - the multi-annual work programme, which is centred around the highest priorities of the TEN-T network, such as projects focused on motorways of the sea and river information services, both of which would help shift freight to water, alleviating congested roads.

The second nomenclature is the annual work programme, based upon three priorities - these being environmentally-friendly transport, accelerating and facilitating TEN-T campaigns and supporting public-private partnerships.

Vice president of the Commission Siim Kallas said: "This funding complements the €7.16 billion which has already been allocated under the 2007-13 TEN-T programme to around 300 projects covering all transport modes - air, rail, road and maritime/sea, plus logistics and intelligent transport systems - involving all EU Member States."

Meanwhile, the European Council recently highlighted the need for the development of new skills to complement new jobs.

Posted by Alex Donnell