Following a recent railway accident in Toledo, Transport Minister Óscar Puente indicated that his team is reconsidering how construction work is managed on infrastructure projects. While Spain currently opts to maintain train services despite potential disruptions rather than halting operations entirely until works are finished, the upcoming major renovations on the Madrid-Zaragoza-Barcelona high-speed line have sparked debate. These comprehensive remodeling works are scheduled to begin either at the end of this year or in early 2027, with priority tasks focused on the Madrid-Calatayud section.
In an interview with Cadena Ser, Catalan President Salvador Illa expressed his preference for maintaining the existing operational model used in Spain. He argued that if safety can be guaranteed while keeping the line open, it is the most desirable option for all stakeholders. Illa contrasted this approach with strategies employed in other countries like Germany, where more drastic decisions to cut services completely are sometimes taken in the name of security. The President noted that Catalonia has dealt with years of Rodalies adaptation works under the principle of maintaining network service whenever possible.
Illa emphasized that any infrastructure renewal must be carried out with maximum safety criteria while affecting the service as little as possible. He stated his support for this line of action, acknowledging Minister Puente's reflection on international practices but reaffirming the viability of the current Spanish method. Regarding the political fallout from the accident, Illa declined to comment on the potential resignation of the Transport Minister, stating that Puente must continue attending to his responsibilities and providing explanations as he is currently doing.
The President recalled Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's assertion that another railway accident in such a short timeframe is unacceptable. Consequently, Illa advocated for analyzing each case individually to improve safety based on expert recommendations. On the electoral front, despite the accident occurring during a critical period between the PSOE and the PP-Vox alliance, Illa expressed confidence that citizens can distinguish relevant facts from distractions when making their choices.
Illa also addressed the transfer of the Rodalies R1 line from the national government to the Generalitat. Although this handover was planned before the November 29 elections, he rejected any alterations to the schedule caused by the incident in Urda, asserting that priorities and objectives remain unchanged. He dismissed pessimism regarding a political cycle ending, highlighting instead the positive trajectory of the Sánchez government and framing the upcoming election as a choice between democracy and authoritarianism, with self-government in Catalonia at stake if the opposition were to win.
Additionally, Illa commented on recent violent altercations in Barcelona, which police deployment prevented from recurring over the weekend. He praised the authorities for maintaining order and bringing responsible parties to justice. The President declared a judicial stance against online platforms used to disseminate calls for violence, such as those by Blocus, stating that these spaces will not be allowed to operate with impunity. He warned that platform directors must assume responsibility in both Catalonia and Spain, promising to take all possible legal actions to ensure neutrality is not an excuse for inciting violence.
Sources: La Vanguardia.