The Spanisn newspaper El País made public on Wednesday a detailed map with 1,077 active temporary speed restrictions (TSR) on Spain’s rail network, data Adif tried to keep hidden by forcing the shutdown of a citizen website.
The platform Dignitat a les Vies, born from frustration over the “mistreatment by Renfe, suburban services and Adif”, launched a website compiling over 1,000 track incidents in Spain, contributed by users and drivers. However, Adif reported the site deeming the information “sensitive”, leading a judge to order its blocking.
The group denounces opacity and breaches of regulations like Ley 9/2025 on Sustainable Mobility, EU Regulation 2017/1926 and Directive (EU) 2019/1024, which mandate publishing infrastructure data to inform passengers of delays.
El País’s map, subscriber-only access, shows nearly half the TSRs are critical (under 30 km/h) on 106 conventional lines, affecting 1,500 km out of over 11,000. High-speed line restrictions are excluded.
Main causes of restrictions: track defects (337 cases), points (102) and works (32). Worst-hit lines: Madrid-Hendaya (83 critical spots, 112 km affected), Alcázar de San Juan-Cádiz (69), Casetas-Bilbao (61) and Madrid-Valencia (50), key for freight.
Rising accident precursors, like 135 rail breaks in 2024 (130 on conventional), heighten concerns after crashes such as Adamuz (Córdoba, 46 dead) and Gelida (Barcelona).
The Transport Ministry is advancing investments: extra €1.8 billion to 2030, with €850m for Iberian gauge and €240m for high speed, after union talks.
Dignitat welcomes El País replicating the map, spotlighting the need for a “dignified” railway.