RAIL LINE BROUGHT INTO 21 ST CENTURYThe rail line between Antequera and Algeciras was recently closed for up to six months as major engineering works were carried out. However Adif, the railway infrastructure company, has now released full information on the project that will see tracks first laid at the end of the 19 th century brought up to 21 st century standards.
Once completed the transformation will benefit both passengers and companies using the freight service. Indeed whilst the eventual AVE high speed train link will bring major benefits to Ronda and the Serranía it is the industrial element that has been the major driving force behind the improvements.
It is anticipated that the upgraded line will bring spectacular benefits for the port of Algeciras and a fundamental change to road use in Spain. Currently a small percentage of heavy container traffic in Spain goes by rail – a stark contrast to major European countries. One container lorry a minute passes through the Campo de Gibraltar on its way to Algeciras port but much of that is expected to be eliminated with the port given speedy access to the Spanish and European rail networks.
The project has been divided in to three sections but some improvements will be common to all. The first is the relaying of the track to modern standards. The second is the removal of the antiquated signal and communications system that is based on wires linking the stations to advise when a train is on its way or has passed. This will be replaced by state of the art signals and telephonic communications. Thirdly the infrastructure will be installed for an overhead electric powered service. And lastly the 123 level crossings, many unsupervised, will all be removed.
Section one is between Antequera-Santa Ana- Bobadilla and Ronda. This will be the new AVE line and is subject to a technical study. The new track will run for 69 kilometres, 16 less than at present, so a new route has to be planned. It will have two tracks instead of the present single line, one will be wide gauge, the other mixed largely reserved for freight traffic.
Section two runs from Ronda’s La Indiana station to San Pablo de Buceite and it is here that the major work is being carried out with the resulting line closure. Many sections of the track can only be reached by rail and it passes through the Grazalema and Los Alcornocales national parks. Work will have to be suspended so as not to disturb protected bird and otter breeding seasons. There will also be a new bridge across the river Guadiaro.
Because of the environmental importance of this area the three tracks that are being laid will all follow the existing single line route. The lines will allow trains using the conventional wide and international tracks to travel simultaneously. It is understood the 17 tunnels will remain single track but as they cannot be heightened special machines have been brought in to excavate a lower base to allow for the electrical power lines to run overhead. False tunnels will also be created to protect the overhead lines from rock falls. The station platforms and sidings will be lengthened but the works will only affect those residents and property owners living along the existing track. Over 176 million euros is allocated to this section with works due to be completed in 2011.
The final section runs from San Pablo to Algeciras which will have two tracks instead of the existing one. This is currently subjected to technical studies with one of the possible provisions being taking the lines underground through Algeciras. A provisional budget of 190 million euros has been allocated for this part of the scheme.
When the work is completed the line will be electric powered with a modern infrastructure. The current travel time between Algeciras and Bobadilla is two hours 30 minutes but that will be slashed to one hour 30 minutes. The journey to Madrid is currently five hours 41 minutes but will be two hours less. And whilst the maximum speed trains can travel is 140 km an hour it will be 300 km an hour.
POWER LINE COULD MAKE ENDANGERED BIRDS EXTINCT
The plans by Endesa to lay a high tension power line across land in Gaucín’s Guadiaro valley that is catalogued as being of high ecological value could lead to the extinction of endangered birds in the area.
Amongst the species under threat are the osprey, fish eagle, peregrine falcon, Leonardo vulture and black stork. All these are designated as being in danger of extinction and of special interest.
In theory these birds are protected by European legislation as well as Spain’s own environmental laws and conventions. However the Andalucía government has given Endesa the green light on the basis that the power line is in the public interest and this rides rough shod over all the supposed protections.
Jaime Orr Ewing, a spokesperson for the Gaucín action group that is fighting the project, explained in the past that this second high tension line is going to duplicate an existing one to meet the same needs. The action group have sought expert advice which states that the new power lines can be carried as a double circuit on existing pylons and hence there is no need for this destructive project to proceed – but Endesa insists it will.
In August the residents of Gaucín held a demonstration in Sevilla outside the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Business – which is responsible for appeals against the project but without any success. Gaucín is united in its fight to protect the local environment which they value and have called on the Andalucía government and Endesa to consider other alternatives to the scheme.
It should be stated that the action group accepts that electricity power lines have to cross the valley. However backed by technical reports they argue that this can be achieved by utilising the existing infrastructure rather than causing an ecological catastrophe.
The lawyer representing the action group, Mariola Marina , said: “The provincial delegation for the environment in its impact study that was required before the project could proceed acknowledged the presence of all these endangered species and also that the power line crossed protected zones declared as Lugar de Interés Comunitario but still Endesa has not sought any alternatives.”
Having made no progress with the ministry and their request for a meeting with the provincial delegate for the environment, Remedios Martel, falling on deaf ears the action group is now taking the matter to the European Parliament and the Ombudsman. They no longer have any confidence that the Andalucía government will act to protect the environment and force Endesa to change its plans.
EXISTING RONDA TO SAN PEDRO ROAD TO BE WIDENED
Whilst studies continue into the viability of a new toll motorway between Ronda and San Pedro the regional government has announced it will widened the existing road.
The current road is single lane in both directions and is one of the most dangerous roads in Málaga province. Bizarrely for much of its length there are no traditional road markings just spaced large yellow squares to indicate the centre of the road. Therefore overtaking is theatrically legal even on hairpin bends.
Miguel Ángel Heredia, the provincial secretary of PSOE, announced that the road would be widened to 12 metres which would allow a lane for heavy goods vehicles that currently cause lengthy tail backs. This in turn leads to frustration amongst drivers who attempt to overtake endangering other road users.
In November 2007 the Andalucía ministry of public works announced that it would build a new toll motorway that would connect Ronda with the Costa del Sol in 22 minutes as opposed to the present 55 minutes. The cost was put at 350 million euros and the road was meant to be completed by 2012.
However since then the project has met with protests from environmental groups and the viability of constructing a dual carriageway motorway has been drawn in to doubt on both financial and technical grounds. Instead there have been suggestions that the scheme should be abandoned and the existing road improved instead with many of the current sharp bends eliminated with bridge links.
SCHOOL PROTEST
Over 200 people demonstrated on the streets of Cortes de la Frontera on Wednesday demanding the town hall and the Málaga delegation for education rectify all the problems in the infants and primary school. They claim the building is a “ruin” with cracks and holes in the structure. The parents have been demanding improvements for years and say the facilities are “third world”.
HALLOWEEN DANGER
A report by Ronda’s local police has stated that the town hall put more than 500 young people in danger after it held a Halloween party at the Casa de la Juventud without any proper control or safety measures. The officers became involved after a resident called them to say that the children were running amok and climbing on cars parked nearby.
POPULAR VENUE
Ronda’s councillor for culture, Pepa Becerra, reports the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones housed in the restored Convento de Santo Domingo held 69 meetings, congresses, exhibitions and other events over the year attended by 6,407 people. She added that Ronda had maintained its popularity as a venue at a time when nationally such activities had dropped by 48 per cent due to the crisis.
DRUGS ACTION
The Genal Guadiaro consortium representing 21 municipalities in the Serranía de Ronda has put into action a programme to deter young people from taking drugs. It is being backed with 18,000 euros, half of which is provided by the regional government. An event has been held for youngsters at the youth hostel in Cortes de la Frontera and the next will involve families.
VULTURE RESCUE
Málaga fire brigade was called out twice last week to rescue vultures from two buildings in Ronda – an industrial unit and an apartment block. Officers used the rescue ladder to scale the buildings then covered the birds that were handed over to the Guardia Civil and sent to the animal recuperation centre. It is thought the vultures became disorientated and were possibly undernourished.
WAR DEAD
The families of those who were executed during the Spanish Civil War in Ronda and Serranía have formed an association to represent their interests and to campaign for the exhumation of the estimated 1,700 people buried in 19 common graves including those at the San Lorenzo cemetery. It appears those from the right and left are buried together along with some foreign volunteers.
