* Admissibility date reflects the date the case was officially registered. All other dates pertain to the date in which a stage was completed.
Case Description
Joint Complaint SG/E/2013/02
In March 2013, an individual had lodged a complaint on behalf of the “Green Settlement-Rooster Hill” regarding the negative environmental impacts of the Interchange. A mediation process was initiated and a new public consultation was organised. In February 2016, the parties involved reached an agreement.
Present Complaint
On 3 March 2014, the EIB Complaints Mechanism (EIB-CM) received a complaint regarding the construction of the Petlovo Brdo Interchange as part of the ElB-financed Belgrade Bypass Project in Belgrade, Serbia. The complaint concerns the allegedly negative impacts of the construction of the Interchange, notably on the safety of residents and drivers, on the economy and businesses along the road, on the ecological and environmental equilibrium of the surrounding area as well as on the quality of life of current and future residents. The complainant also alleged that the construction of the Interchange would prevent future construction of other transport infrastructure (subway/rapid transit, tram and light rail transit).
EIB-CM Action
The EIB-CM carried out an initial assessment of the allegations made and, following a fact-finding mission to Belgrade in October 2013, proposed to engage in a mediation process with a view to achieving a solution that would ensure the continuation of the Project, the protection of the environment and the well-being of the community. Following multiple meetings in Belgrade, the Promoter produced a new Environmental and Social Action Plan with a modified project design significantly reducing the impact of the interchange on the forest, including the construction of new and safer accesses to the settlement and an access road for local businesses. The revised project design also included a generous compensatory plantation plan and the construction of a new recreational area in the forest.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The complainant participated in the discussions already initiated in the framework of the mediation process as well as in the public consultation meeting. However, the complainant refused to consent to the settlement agreement reached with the other complainants.
The EIB-CM believes that the concerns of the complainant have been addressed in the mediation process and the public consultation which resulted in the modification of the project. The new design appears to remedy all the problems brought up by the complainant. The EIB-CM will follow up on the implementation of the agreement by the promoter and in general will remain vigilant about the compliance of the new project design.