IT
RADAR BRIEF · 44/100

Complaint alleges Spain’s Lena–Gijón rail upgrades may not meet EU 2030 requirements

Railway and infrastructure experts have complained to the European Commission that planned improvements to the Lena–Gijón line in Asturias may fail to meet the standards required for the Atlantic Corridor’s core network by 2030.

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What is happening

The complaint alleges that projects being developed by Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Adif focus mainly on local and regional improvements. The experts say the route may not meet targets including ERTMS deployment, the ability to accommodate 740-metre freight trains, and infrastructure standards for future rail motorway services. The cited works include signalling upgrades, tunnel modernisation and track renewals. The complaint asks the European Commission to intervene.

Why is it on the Radar?

According to the complaint, the planned works could create a bottleneck and limit the benefits of previous EU-backed investments, including the Pajares Base Tunnel and the expansion of the Port of Gijón. The experts argue that the line could remain non-compliant with EU requirements by the 2030 deadline.

Sources and timeline