The Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism of the European Parliament did not accept a deal agreed in the Council on 31 December 2002 on transit of heavy goods vehicles through Austria, the so-called "ecopoints" system.

A large majority of members across the political landscape of the EP approved four compromise amendments, which are in conflict with the Council decision in December.

The committee wants environmentally-friendly lorries to be promoted and older lorries gradually banned, although it also said transit restrictions should apply only to three environmentally sensitive Alpine regions. Their report will be on the agenda for the February plenary session in Strasbourg.

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