Euro 2012 border crossings not likely to be ready on time, admits Poland's Transport Minister

By Andrew Warshaw

February 10 – Poland’s preparations for the 2012 European Championships have been dealt a potentially damaging setback with the admission that its transport links bordering co-hosts Ukraine may not be ready on time.

Until now, Ukraine had been the main focus of infrastructural delays but Poland has been struggling with an antiquated road network and now the Government concerned has conceded they may not have everything in place by the June tournament.

“It gives me no satisfaction to say that we will most likely not be able to drive through the entire A1 and A4 highway for the Euros, as some stretches won’t be ready,” Transport Minister Sławomir Nowak (pictured) told a news conference.

That effectively means Poland will have no motorway connection to Ukraine, a potential nightmare for fans criss-crossing the joint hosts.

In November Poland opened another section of the A2 motorway that links it with Germany but could also struggle to complete the last part into Warsaw, which could cause severe disruption for German fans pouring into the country.

“We are doing everything to ensure the A2 highway is all done from the German border to Warsaw,” Nowak added.

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