Projects for standard gauge in Spain get going north and south

The Spanish Ministry of Transport (MITMA) recently assigned contracts for the implementation of the standard gauge (1435mm) in key rail freight locations. The projects concern the area of Valladolid in the north and the Bobadilla-Algeciras railway in the south. The Bobadilla-Algeciras line is a starting point for both the TEN-T Atlantic and Mediterranean corridors. Algeciras…

Rail Baltica will not pass through all of Riga before 2030 deadline

Rail Baltica will not pass through all of Riga before 2030. Latvia is missing three billion euros for the completion of the line through its capital city. The city has been a major obstacle for the construction of the line, and the entire project risks losing one billion euros in EU funding if not completed…

Much-desired Spanish Ruta de la Plata line relegated in TEN-T roadmap

The Transport Committee of the European Parliament has relegated the much-desired Spanish rail line Ruta de la Plata to a lower priority in its roadmap. Portugal and local Spanish authorities lobbied for the renovation of the decommissioned railway that improves connectivity along the Portuguese border. The lobbying of the Portuguese ambassador and local western Spanish […]

European Parliament clears path for revised TEN-T guidelines

In a significant move towards modernising Europe’s transportation infrastructure, the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee has embraced the compromise text on the Revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Guidelines. This milestone sets the stage for adoption by the European Parliament Plenary ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections, followed by anticipated approval by […]

Out of sight, out of mind: the Netherlands falling behind on rail freight

The Netherlands desperately lack a vision for rail freight. That is the message of Hans-Willem Vroon, director of RailGood, a Dutch organisation promoting the interests of the rail freight sector. The Dutch government fails to deliver sound rail freight policy, has ignored a parliamentary proposal and sector appeals, and risks falling behind the rest of […]

Out of sight, out of mind: the Netherlands falling behind on rail freight

The Netherlands desperately lack a vision for rail freight. That is the message of Hans-Willem Vroon, director of RailGood, a Dutch organisation promoting the interests of the rail freight sector. The Dutch government fails to deliver sound rail freight policy, has ignored a parliamentary proposal and sector appeals, and risks falling behind the rest of […]