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Euro MPs fear for the future of the Galileo satellite-navigation project, which is designed to provide sat-nav services for operators and is at the heart of plans for automated road charging systems. In a resolution laid before the European Parliament, MEPs say they are "deeply concerned by the fact that the concession negotiations have been at a standstill for several months" because of disputes between contractors over the allocation of construction and commissioning work.

They have  also voiced "fears about the increasing overall costs of this EU programme". Galileo might not go ahead in its current form - MEPs are asking the European Commission to plan "alternative scenarios for the realisation of the programme, especially for costs, risk and affordability". Even if the contract difficulties are overcome, MEPs warn that the 2011 launch date for the satellite network could be missed.