Inspired by the North Sea Region Interreg IVB projects, the “TEN‐T and the North Sea Region” project analysed the opportunities and consequences for freight transport of the new EU TEN‐T Regulation, the Connecting Europe Facility, the Clean Power for Transport Initiative and the Europe2020 Strategy seen on a regional level.

A toolbox of regional measures was developed to optimise regional impact on TEN-T and freight transport development. The toolbox measures were illustrated on a number of cases that reflected the project findings in relation to TEN-T development.

Aim
TEN-TaNS aimed to:

• Develop recommendations on effective future actions (cases/initiatives) on TEN‐T core and comprehensive network development in the North Sea Region with a focus on the freight transport field and the logistics technologies and procedures that are so important in enabling, and maximising, the efficient movement of goods, thus making sure that the North Sea Region is well‐positioned for responding to the main requirements of EU’s transport initiatives.

Background
At project start, the European transport policy was being redrawn. Especially the design of the new TEN-T network meant a big change compared to the current TEN-T network. The TEN-T network evolved into a multi-modal, corridor-based network, divided into a core and comprehensive network. Also horizontal issues like service aspects, alternative fuels and transport telematics were included. Being part of the network brought certain obligations and responsibilities for the Member States, regional authorities and infrastructure managers involved.

The TEN-TaNS project looked deeper into the development of the core and comprehensive networks and how the development of these networks could be supported by public authorities and infrastructure providers on a regional level. Here a special focus was on the horizontal issues.

Current policy developments was analysed and the requirements of being part of the TEN-T network in terms of infrastructure and services were clarified for all transport and intermodal modes and translated down to a regional level via a toolbox specifically developed for the TEN-TaNS project. It was highlighted where regional and local authorities from the North Sea Region could contribute to the completion of the TEN-T network by 2030 or 2050 respectively.

Regional cases studies were elaborated to inform about opportunities and perspectives at the regional level. The outcomes of this project  maked sure that the North Sea Region is well-positioned for responding to the requirements of the future TEN-T network.