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Transport
Macedonia is blindly following the outdated western model of car-dependent transportation, while EU countries are striving to move towards more sustainable modes of transport such as railways, urban public transport, cycling and walking. The EU funds and public banks such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are promoting the controversial shift towards private car transport and have predominantly provided grants and loans for road construction. The construction of highways along the European transport corridors, backed by public money, are affecting some of the most valuable biodiversity sites in the region as well as posing significant social threats. In Macedonia the highways bypassing capital cities will seriously endanger human settlements. Heavy investments are directed mainly towards transit roads while public resources for the basic maintenance of regional and local transport networks are declining. Macedonia has a great natural value to protect and given some political will, it can follow positive transport trends. Eco-sense is working to ensure that the EU's billions of euros for regional development will prioritise public transport schemes and other sustainable transport means in Macedonia. |
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