Entrepreneurs find the new modification of roads for the Diversion unjustified

FADE (Asturias Federation of Employers) says that the project proposed by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, which would close the door to many freight trains, has no technical guarantee, and criticizes the delays

José Luis Salinas

03·04·17 | 11:16

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From the left, Belén Fernández, Javier Fernández, Alberto González, Antonio Pino and Javier Fernández Lanero, in the signing of the agreement for the infrastructures of Asturias last March 23rd Luisma Murias

The change of routes proposed by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to end the diversion of Pajares and level the arrival of high speed trains to Asturias lacks technical justification in the opinion of the Asturias Federation of Employers (FADE). The new project promoted by the Government, which thus yields to the demands of Foro Asturias in exchange for its support to the State Budget, would mean that the AVE would arrive in the region by a route of international width, which would close the Pajares tunnels to many of the freight trains. "This suggested project", criticized the general director of the Asturias Employers, Alberto González, "would not be valid for the longest convoys to cross the sections of greater slope."

"It's a political commitment that we respect, but we can´t find its technical justification. These kinds of analysis are not being laid out", he said. The turn of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport has caught the management by surprise, who defends a mixed route. "It is essential that this infrastructure works, at the same time, for the transportation of passengers and goods", said González. In fact, taking a step further, he notes that the Principality of Asturias does not generate enough passenger flow to justify such an investment. The management of the Asturias Employers joins in this way to the criticism that the announcement has also brought to the regional Government, the trade unions, Podemos and IU. FADE also notes that allowing the passage of freight trains through the Pajares tunnels is essential for the development of other infrastructures. "It would be important for the El Musel harbour to capture new traffic, or to have a new motorway of the sea", he says. He also points out that it would also mean a blow to many Asturian industries, which would lose an exit route to sell their products. FADE is also annoyed that this change of plans by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport will bring a new delay in the works. "The diversion of Pajares must be opened as soon as possible, and we hope that all this will be resolved soon in an appropriate way", said González.