The general secretary and regional deputy of Chunta Aragonesista (CHA), Verónica Villagrasa, has expressed her concern after learning that France is once again postponing the reopening of the international Canfranc line, while the estimated budget for the works on the French section already amounts to 700 million euros. For this reason, she has demanded that the deadlines for its reopening be accelerated as much as possible.
According to the new calendar presented by the SNCF, the completion of the pending works on the 88 kilometers that remain to be modernized in French territory is delayed by three more years.
Villagrasa has stressed that "each new delay is bad news for Aragon, for the Pyrenean territories and for Europe as a whole, which needs to strengthen cross-border rail connections and decisively commit to sustainable mobility."
The CHA spokesperson has urged both the Government of Aragon and the central Executive to assume a role of political and institutional leadership before the French and European authorities with the aim of ensuring the reopening of the international line. "We cannot limit ourselves to contemplating how commitments continue to be postponed. Aragon and the State must redouble political and diplomatic pressure for France to comply with the schedules and for the European Union to consider this infrastructure a strategic priority," she stated.
At the same time, Villagrasa has defended the convenience of activating more European funds to shorten the established deadlines and ensure that all necessary investments are executed. "Canfranc is not only a historical Aragonese demand; it is a corridor of European interest that will contribute to territorial cohesion, to the transport of goods by rail and to the decarbonization of mobility," she remarked.
Investment effort and strategic priority
The general secretary of CHA has highlighted the investment effort made in recent years in the Aragonese section of the line and has reiterated that "it would make no sense for Aragon and Spain to fulfill their commitments while the French side continues to accumulate delays."
In this regard, she has demanded that the reopening of Canfranc be among the main priorities of the bilateral agenda between Spain and France, as well as in European infrastructure and connectivity policies.
"We need more political commitment, more investment, and fewer excuses. The reopening of Canfranc must become a shared priority for Aragon, Spain, France, and the European Union. We cannot allow a strategic infrastructure for our future to keep waiting indefinitely," concluded Villagrasa.