High-speed trains between Madrid and Andalucia are affected until next week

THE reopening of high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalucia remains uncertain following last week’s derailment in Adamuz (Córdoba).

While the Ministry of Transport had initially set Feb 2 as the target date for fully restoring the connection, Transport Minister Óscar Puente has acknowledged that it may not resume by this deadline.

Speaking Monday with TVE La Hora de La 1, Puente explained to the media that the ongoing judicial proceedings have prevented technicians from intervening in the affected section of track. This has slowed down the repair and created uncertainty about the timeline.

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Although teams have been working to prepare for the project, including the preparation of the catenary system and the material stockpiling process, the Minister stressed that the final outcome will be determined by the date the court grants its authorization.

It is possible to reopen a portion of the track using a single-track at a reduced speed, but this would result in longer travel times.

In response to the continued disruption of travel between Madrid, Seville, Malaga and Granada caused by the suspension of high-speed service, airlines like Iberia, Air Europa and others have added extra flights to key routes.

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Meanwhile, the incident has renewed scrutiny of the state of Spain’s railway infrastructure, after a rail union revealed it had warned the Ministry last September about what it described as a ‘critical state’ of the network, citing insufficient maintence, ageing systems and a rising number of incidents.

As the investigation into the Adamuz incident continues, the government is increasingly under pressure to restore rail services quickly, as well as address broader concerns regarding safety, priority investments, and the long-term viability of the system.

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