High-speed rail project devises strategies to alleviate local apprehensions
In the heart of southeastern Spain, the town of Lorca is eagerly awaiting updates on a new rail plan for the Mediterranean Corridor. The latest developments come after a series of meetings and protests by local residents, who have voiced concerns about the project's potential impact on their community.
Recently, Lorca's mayor, Fulgencio Gil, met with rail infrastructure company Adif in Madrid to discuss the matter. Gil requested clear dates for the return of local trains and the high-speed AVE service, which have been suspended due to ongoing construction.
The concerns of the residents centre around the protection of a local waterway and the removal of a raised crossing. Protests were held to voice these concerns, leading to a halt in construction for a month. However, Adif's president has agreed to develop a new plan that takes community concerns into account.
The new plan, set to be presented in September, aims to address these concerns, including protecting the local waterway and improving the flow of rainwater. The mayor has also suggested making Lorca's San Diego station a temporary AVE stop, which could benefit over 300,000 people in the region.
Locals are calling for better safety measures and compensation for the disruption caused by the rail project. Residents in other parts of Lorca, such as Tercia and Santa Clara, have raised complaints about damaged roads, constant noise from heavy trucks, and poor air quality due to dust from ongoing works.
Lorca currently has two railway stations serving the city, Sutullena and San Diego, and is part of the rail network of Murcia, which connects to major destinations such as Madrid and Alicante. Ongoing developments in high-speed rail networks in the Region of Murcia include the Madrid-Levante high-speed line reaching Murcia around 2021 and the Murcia-Almería high-speed line targeted for 2023.
While specific details about the new rail plan for the Mediterranean Corridor in Lorca are yet to be announced, it is expected to involve upgrades or route adjustments to improve service reliability, speed, or environmental impact, in response to local community feedback. Such projects typically consider reducing noise, minimizing disruption, and enhancing station accessibility to mitigate the impact on residents.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information about the specific rail plan, including proposed changes and community impact in Lorca, it is recommended to consult official regional government announcements, transportation authority releases, or local news sources post-July 2025.
The new rail plan for the Mediterranean Corridor, set to be presented in September, is anticipated to involve adjustments in route or upgrades to improve service reliability, speed, or environmental impact, aiming to address concerns voiced by the residents. In addition, there are proposals to make Lorca's San Diego station a temporary AVE stop, which could benefit over 300,000 people in the region, and potentially involve improvements in the finance sector to cover costs and provide compensation.
