EU wants to boost transport security research

The European Commission today said it wanted to spend €250m a year starting in 2007 on research to boost security on public transport – notably underground and rail networks – to thwart terrorist attacks.

The Commission also announced it was giving €15m this year for 13 research projects to enhance security, look at the effectiveness of putting sensors, ground penetrating radars and scanners on railways or carriages.

“The recent events in London show how vulnerable public transport systems are to terrorist attacks,” said EU Enterprise and Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen.

“The Commission is determined to do its part to better protect our citizens and fund EU-wide targeted research efforts.”

The proposal to boost spending will need to be approved by EU governments as part of the EU’s 2007-2013 budget, which remains undecided.

The projects are being led by firms based in Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Britain and Austria.