Copper cable theft disrupts circulation
The Catalan railway network has suffered another copper cable theft, which has generated interruptions in train circulation. This incident is in addition to the robbery that recently occurred on May 12 in Rodalies. According to Adif, the theft of copper cable has left the railway line between Lleida and Barcelona out of circulation, specifically between Riu Milans and Les Borges Blanques, affecting trains R13 and R14. However, at 8:30 this morning, traffic has been restored.
Affects and restoration of service
As a result of this incident, several Rodalies lines have been affected. However, the service is expected to normalize gradually. Starting today, the Rodalies R1 line will operate normally again to L’Hospitalet. In addition, the R4 North will recover the connection with Barcelona, with a frequency of two trains per hour in each direction between L’Hospitalet and Manresa. For its part, the R4 South will have four trains per hour in each direction between L’Hospitalet and Sant Vicenç de Calders. As for R3, the most affected line, Renfe plans to reinforce the alternative bus service, since trains are only running between Puigcerdà and Ripollet. Although some of the affected lines are being recovered, the reinforcement of alternative transportation will continue, including buses and railway lines.
New incident on the railway network
Subsequently, another incident occurred on the railway network. Lines R14, R15 and RT1 have had to interrupt train circulation due to an accident between a freight train and a vehicle. Civil Protection has reported about this incident through social networks.
Statements from the Minister of Transport
The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, has spoken about the situation in Rodalies. In a press conference, the minister avoided taking responsibility and stressed that acts of vandalism are the responsibility of the police. Furthermore, he has announced that repairing the damage caused by the copper theft will cost approximately 15 million euros and will require two months of work. Puente has also mentioned that in the last five years there have been about three acts of vandalism a day on the Renfe Rodalies network in Catalonia.
In summary, the Catalan railway network has faced a new incident due to the theft of copper cable, which has generated interruptions in train circulation. Although services are being gradually restored, several lines have been affected. The Minister of Transport has highlighted police competence in relation to acts of vandalism and has announced the costs and deadlines for repairs. The situation is expected to normalize in the coming days.