The mayor of Algeciras, José Ignacio Landaluce, has raised concerns about the prolonged suspension of train services on the line linking Bobadilla (Antequera) with Algeciras. The interruption stems from severe damage inflicted by a recent storm system, affecting approximately 100 kilometers of the track, with significant impact on the Serranía de Ronda.
Currently, train circulation is completely halted as Adif teams work on repairing the affected areas. These repair efforts coincide with modernization works on the section between Ronda and Bobadilla, which is the only part of the line yet to be upgraded. Additionally, construction has begun on an electrical substation near Ronda, crucial for the line's electrification.
Sources from Adif have indicated that if the various construction projects overlap, the line's closure could extend beyond August, as the electrification works are projected to last around 13 months. This situation could potentially leave the region without a railway connection for nearly a year and a half.
“"This situation is the direct consequence of years of neglect, lack of maintenance, and absence of real investments. We are not facing an isolated incident, but rather the result of an obsolete railway system that has been showing signs of collapse for too long."
Freight transport is among the most affected sectors, as this line is vital for the entry and exit of goods through the Port of Algeciras. The disruption has forced the diversion of transport to roads. Passengers are also being transported by bus, although there have been complaints about the lack of service to all stations, such as Gaucín Station.
Landaluce criticized that the situation is not solely due to the rains, but because the line is “old, unmodernized, largely unelectrified, and with conditions that make it particularly vulnerable.” He lamented that this new interruption adds to the recurring problems faced by users, such as breakdowns and delays, and stated that “the citizens of Campo de Gibraltar are tired of being treated as second-class users.”
The mayor has demanded a “firm commitment, with concrete investments, clear deadlines, and definitive solutions” from the central government and Adif for the modernization of the Bobadilla-Algeciras line, as well as urgent measures to mitigate the effects of this new closure.
