Spain has temporarily reduced the speed limit on the high-speed train line between Madrid and Barcelona following the discovery of a crack on the track. The fault, located 110 kilometers west of Barcelona, was identified on Sunday night near the towns of Alcover and l’Espluga de Francolí, in the Catalonia region.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed the issue and assured that the fault, while concerning, did not pose an immediate danger to trains running on the line. However, trains will now operate at a reduced speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) until further notice. This is a significant decrease from the usual speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph), commonly seen on Spain’s busiest high-speed route.
Speed Limit Reduction and Ongoing Disruptions
This latest speed reduction is part of a series of measures taken following recent incidents on Spain’s rail network. Just days earlier, a devastating train collision in southern Spain claimed 45 lives, raising further concerns about safety on high-speed lines.
Following the incident in Adamuz, a temporary speed reduction was implemented on multiple sections of the Madrid-Barcelona line, reducing speeds to 230 km/h. A similar reduction to 160 km/h was applied to parts of the Madrid-Valencia route. Despite these measures, authorities have emphasized that the tracks are safe, and the changes are precautionary.
Rail Service Chaos in Catalonia
In addition to the speed limit adjustments, local rail services in Catalonia have faced severe disruptions. On Monday, the Rodalies service was grounded after two incidents caused chaos, and a driver’s tragic death earlier in the week raised concerns over the safety of local rail systems. Investigations into the causes of these disruptions, including a potential cyberattack, are ongoing.
Political pressure is mounting, with opposition politicians demanding action over years of underinvestment in the region’s rail infrastructure.
