“Investments in infrastructure are crucial and time-critical”
The green transition, but also the security situation, requires major investments in infrastructure. For this to happen, the financial framework must be expanded significantly. This is one of the messages in the submission to the Swedish Transport Administration submitted by Region Norrbotten and the municipalities of Norrbotten.
The Swedish Transport Administration has been tasked by the government to describe the direction of the future transport system. The Inspelet is a way to contribute with views and data to that work.
The submitted comments include:
- It is absolutely crucial that the economic framework is expanded significantly so that Sweden can meet both national and European commitments and at the same time manage the green transition.
- The ongoing green transition of industry is particularly evident in northern Sweden, where investments are now well over SEK 1070 billion. Investments in infrastructure are crucial and time-critical in the transition.
- The work of building completed and planned infrastructure must take place in parallel with maintenance and tuning of the existing one.
- Sweden needs to become even better at seeking and securing co-financing from the EU.
- The changing security situation in Europe and in our immediate vicinity is an important starting point for transport infrastructure planning.
It is the common one for the Norrbotten Region and the municipalities of Norrbotten. Growth preparation who stands behind the views.
“Clear target years”
- The Growth Committee believes that a coherent expansion is needed in routes where the Swedish Transport Administration must work based on clear target years for completion. It is absolutely crucial that the financial framework is expanded significantly so that Sweden can live up to both national and European commitments and at the same time manage the green transition, says Anders Öberg, Chairman of the Regional Board and Regional Councillor for Region Norrbotten.
Anders Öberg highlights the need to provide the necessary funds.
Claes Nordmark, chairman of Norrbotten's municipalities and municipal councilor in Boden, particularly highlights that planning must take the security policy situation into account."The changed security situation in Europe and in our immediate vicinity, based on Russia's increasingly aggressive behavior, is an important starting point for planning transport infrastructure. It must be clearly included in the strategic planning," says Claes Nordmark.
The Swedish Transport Administration's policy document must be reported no later than January 15, 2024.
Read more about the Growth Preparation here