• Call for withdrawal of EU loans for Slovakian motorway

    Environmental groups in Slovakia have written to the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), asking them not to give loans for a €570 million public-private partnership for the Turany-Hubova section of the D1 motorway.

    Following an environmental impact assessment (EIA), the Slovak environment ministry recommended the D1 be re-routed through a tunnel in order to bypass protected areas. But the state-owned motorway builder and operator is building the road on the original route, despite not all permissions have been completed. NGOs believe the government’s wish to complete the link between Bratislava and Kosice next year is behind the rush to build the section.