The restoration of the high-speed rail route between Madrid and Sevilla will not occur on February 2 as hoped, it has emerged.
The route has been closed off since the deadly Adamuz crash in Cordoba, which claimed 45 lives.
The Government now expects order to be restored on the network on Feburary 7 at the earliest, if the timetable for repairs holds.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente confirmed that Adif has now received judicial authorisation to begin rebuilding the damaged section of track where the accident occurred.
‘We have today received judicial approval to proceed with restoring the infrastructure at the Adamuz accident site,’ the minister said in a post on X.
‘Our aim is to complete the work within approximately 10 days. Once this is done, the full Madrid–Sevilla line will reopen.’
Early forecasts had pointed to Monday, February 2, as a possible reopening date.
However, Puente had already warned that delays in securing court approval to carry out works at the Cordoba crash site would push that deadline back.
Under the latest plan, high-speed services operated by Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo could resume by February 7, meaning the key rail corridor will have been out of action for around three weeks.
In the meantime, Renfe has continued to run limited services for essential travel only, using replacement bus transport along the section affected by the crash.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
