Situation on the Bobadilla-Granada rail section

27.9.2017

Question for written answer E-006020-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Inés Ayala Sender (S&D) , Clara Eugenia Aguilera García (S&D)

Following the accident in the Rastatt tunnel in Germany on 12 August 2017, the Commission decided to set up a working group to consider the issue of disruption to rail traffic caused by accidents or works during development of the trans-European networks (TEN) and rail corridors funded by the EU, as well as the necessary emergency plans.

This is not an isolated case. The Bobadilla-Granada rail section, which forms part of the Mediterranean Corridor, has been at a complete standstill for 29 months now, as we are well aware and have discussed with the Commission.

1. Could the Commission confirm that this working group has been set up at EU level so that it is not just tasked with the situation at Rastatt, but considers in general all the situations that may arise — as in Granada — during development of the TENs?

2. Will the mandate for this working group also envisage a methodology that enables work to be carried out while trains are running on the line or between their passage, so that normal service on the line need not be interrupted?

3. What emergency plans and measures has the Commission envisaged so normal service is resumed as a matter of urgency on lines at a standstill?