Junta seeks full rail check before trains return

The Junta asked Spain’s government on Wednesday, 4 November, to reopen the Madrid–Andalusia high-speed line soon. It said the route must first pass a full safety check.

The call follows two crashes on the same line. Urda and Adamuz killed 115 people in all. The Urda crash killed 69 people, while the Adamuz crash happened in January.

Carolina España spoke after the Junta’s weekly meeting. The vice-president said people must be able to trust the line again.

Experts must sign off the route

Junta president Juanma Moreno wants experts to check the whole southern line. He also wants the old safety system replaced.

España said no other line still uses that system. She called it old and said it now remains only in Andalusia. EU funds had been set aside, and the work had gone out to tender, she added.

The Junta wants a deep check of every part of the route. España said trained experts must carry out the work and sign it off. Spain’s government should then confirm that the line is safe before trains return.

She questioned whether a return within 10 days, or with fewer trains, would be safe enough. She said speed must not come before full safety.

España called two fatal crashes on one route hard to bear. She said a new system and a full check were needed to win back public trust.

Puente leaves the ministry

Óscar Puente said on Tuesday, 3 November, that he would quit as transport minister. He also left the PSOE list for Valladolid in the 29 November election.

Puente said he could not stay after two grave crashes in less than a year. He described his choice as an act of duty and care for victims. He said he chose to leave as soon as he heard about the Urda crash.

España said the resignation came far too late. She claimed poor polls and his cost to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez drove the move. She said care for victims was not the cause. These were her political claims.

Sánchez said Puente’s exit did show care for victims and praised his work. Carlos Cuerpo is now in charge of transport for the time being.

Before leaving, Puente set out steps to make high-speed rail safer. The government had also pledged €1,800 million more for rail upkeep after Adamuz and Gelida. It plans 3,600 skilled jobs at Adif and Renfe, plus 50 more at the rail safety agency.

Sources: Andalucía Información; Europa Press; ABC; La Vanguardia; infoLibre.