Barranco de los Gafarillos tunnel

23.7.2014

Question for written answer E-005911-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ramon Tremosa i Balcells (ALDE)

According to the daily newspaper La Vanguardia, the Spanish rail infrastructure authority ADIF has bricked up the entrances to what was to be the longest rail tunnel in Andalucía and the most prominent piece of infrastructure of the future Murcia-Almeria high-speed rail line. The project, which was funded with loans from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), now has no future use. The official explanation for closing the tunnel is that it has been done ‘for security and maintenance reasons’. Sources within the People’s Party say that over EUR 750 million have been spent on the construction of just under 28 kilometres of dual rail track between the Almerian towns of Vera and Sorba, as part of the AVE high-speed line which will one day link Murcia with Almeria[1].

In light of the above and given that the project received Commission funding and a loan from the EIB, what does the Commission think of the fact that ADIF has sealed this rail tunnel for security and site maintenance reasons?

• [1] http://www.lavanguardia.com/economia/20140427/54406383098/adif-tapia-tunel-largo-andalucia-ave-fantasma.html#ixzz36QVQM3ep