Leak Complaints Follow €1.2 Million Refurbishment
Barcelona Metro users have reported water leaks and damp patches in the recently renovated interchange hall between lines L1 and L3 at Plaça Catalunya station. The complaints emerged following heavy rainfall from Storm Adam, just over a month after the corridor reopened on 7th September 2026. The 1.2 million euro renovation, carried out by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), closed the connecting corridor from 6th July to 6th September. Work included asbestos removal, upgrades to vertical cladding, civil engineering, and improvements to installations and communications systems, according to the Barcelona City Council. Despite the investment, passengers have taken to social media to criticise the outcome. One user posted to the City Council and TMB: "The renovation has only just finished, and it's already a disgrace. What guarantees have you demanded from the contractor, and when will it be fixed?"
Recurring Problems After Rain
This is not the first time the corridor has shown signs of water damage. On 7th October 2026, the hall reopened with visible dampness and bulging paint on the ceiling, following earlier storms. The latest issues, reported after Storm Adam, include active leaks and fallen paint fragments. An estimated 43,000 people use the interchange daily on working days, making it one of the busiest transfer points in the network. The recurring problems have sparked frustration among commuters. "They do months of work, and the result is pathetic," said one passenger. Others described the situation as a "disaster," questioning the quality and durability of the refurbishment.
TMB and City Council Yet to Respond
As of Tuesday 20th October 2026, neither TMB nor the Barcelona City Council has issued a public statement addressing the leaks. The user's message on X remains unanswered. The corridor's renovation was part of broader summer upgrades across the metro network, including accessibility improvements at Verdaguer and works on L1, L4, and L9/L10 Nord lines. Details of the Catalunya project are published on the Barcelona City Council website and TMB's official page.
Primary sources: Barcelona City Council, barcelona.cat, tmb.cat, noticies.tmb.cat, TMB, Premsa TMB. Reported by ARCHIVO, beteve.cat, El Periódico, Metrópoli Abierta (CA).
