It has been talked about for decades. The possibility to extend the coastal train from Malaga to Marbella. Currently, the last stop is in Fuengirola centre. Marbella is the only municipality with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Spain without a rail connection and is keen to see the train extended.
The Spanish government, which is in charge of major infrastructure projects, has said that the coastal train from Malaga to Marbella is ‘expensive and complex’. At the same time, it avoids the question of whether it will promote this possibility. According to proponents of the extension of the Cercanias line, the central government only comes up with excuses, difficulties, ifs and buts regarding the coastal train.
Solution
The best thing would of course be for the track to be extended to Algeciras. Practically the entire area along the coast between Malaga and Algeciras is a series of residential areas. And in almost all places where there is nothing yet, construction is underway or cranes are announcing the arrival of new homes. All those residents now travel via the N-340 or the A7 (AP-7). These traffic arteries are often congested. All it takes is one accident to cause long traffic jams. Residents without a car travel by bus lines, ending up in the same traffic jams. A train service such as the one between Malaga and Fuengirola could provide a major relief in that respect.
Also read: Marbella companies want a solution to traffic chaos on the coast
Complex
“Is the government planning to resume the coastal train project from Malaga to Marbella?” That was the question in the Spanish House of Representatives of PP parliamentarians. The answer: “The project of the new rail access to Marbella and Estepona has over time been the subject of several studies that have revealed its complexity from a territorial, functional and economic point of view”. The costs for all these studies over the past ten years have already amounted to €8.4 million, writes El Español.
Millions of euros just for a study
“A serious study into mobility to Marbella does not cost €200,000 or €300,000, but millions of euros.” This was the response from the government’s deputy deputy, Javier Salas, in an interview on Sunday with Málaga Hoy.
“Shameful”
The general secretary of the Malaga PP, José Ramón Carmona, called the government’s response on Monday “shameful.” He further pointed out a “premeditated plan” by the central government not to take the project forward. “The government confirms its zero interest,” he assured. According to Carmona, the PSOE has concocted a story to deny the possibility of implementing this infrastructure. “Despite its importance to the development of this country,” he said, “there is no political will to do things now and plan our future. The proof that they haven’t even tried to do the most important thing is this year’s budget project.”
Also read: Andalucia claims 2 billion euros for extension of Costa del Sol train via Marbella
