Full steam ahead

AFTER weeks of discussions, the national Ministry of Transport reached an agreement with the regional government, the Junta de Andalucia on Friday, February 17 regarding a rail expansion scheme that will bring high speed AVE trains to Almeria.

The authorities agreed to cede ownership of the car park next to Almeria train station to Adif rail company, a decision which will allow the project to move to the next stage, with the contract for construction work expected to go out to tender in due course.

The issue of ownership of the car park had repeatedly stalled discussions about the rail project as it caused problems with the financing of the entire scheme.

The regional government of Andalucia has also scheduled a meeting with the national Ministry of Finance and the Treasury to discuss the possibility of using European funds in the project to bring high speed rail connections to Almeria.

The news comes just days after national train company Renfe launched a new journey option, creating a connection from Almeria to Madrid via Granada’s high speed AVE rail line.