Press Release: Commission asks the European Court of Justice to order Poland not to start road construction in Rospuda Valley

The European Commission has asked the European Court of Justice to take interim measures to ensure Poland does not go ahead with the construction of a road that will cause irreversible damage to the Rospuda Valley, a protected area of primeval forest and natural habitats of European importance. The Commission's application for urgent action by the Court follows the Polish government's failure to give an undertaking that it will not start construction work on the Augustow bypass through the valley on 1 August 2007. The Commission took Poland to the ECJ over the planned construction of the Augustow bypass and another road, the Wasilkow bypass, in March 2007 due to the damage they would cause to natural areas of European importance. The interim measures now requested would prevent the works from going ahead until the Court has had time to rule on the case brought in March.