Commuters and regional rail passengers in Catalonia face slower journeys on 110 kilometres of track, where train drivers must reduce speed for safety reasons, according to Adif's weekly speed-limit document obtained by the Catalan News Agency (ACN). The restrictions apply at 155 points or sections across the network, affecting every Rodalies and Regionales line except the RL3 in Lleida.

For passengers on the R15 between Riba-roja d'Ebre and Reus, the effect is particularly severe: 16 of the line's 39 restrictions are on that section. Trains there are required to run at between 30 km/h and 70 km/h, and the section has recently been closed to rail traffic.

R15 has the highest number of restrictions

Adif, Spain's rail infrastructure manager, uses temporary speed restrictions where inspections identify incidents or deficiencies. Its internal weekly document is updated each Monday and tells drivers the affected location, required speed and reason for the restriction.

  • There are 155 listed points or sections on Catalan rail lines.
  • About 110 kilometres are being travelled more slowly than normal.
  • The R15 has 39 restrictions, the highest total on a Renfe line in Catalonia.
  • The RL3 in Lleida is the only regional or commuter line without a listed restriction.

Some locations appear more than once in the document because more than one problem is recorded for the same point or stretch of track. Restrictions can cover a precise location or several kilometres of railway.

Repair delays can keep limits in place

Specialist sources told ACN that some restrictions have remained on the list for 10 years because repairs were not carried out. When a fault is resolved, the corresponding restriction is removed from the weekly document.

Passengers using the R15 between Riba-roja d'Ebre and Reus should check Renfe's current service information before travelling. Renfe has provided alternative road transport on the affected section because rail operations are not considered workable under the current restrictions.

Reported by ACN, ARA, diaridetarragona.com, Núria Font Casas, catalannews.com, Natàlia Vila, Judit Castaño, elmundo.es, bbc.co.uk, Núria Rius, Rosa María Corona Gómez, Jordi Serra Martínez, elDiario.es, Alberto Sanz, apdnoticies.com.