19/09/2013 00:00
TW
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STAFF REPORTER

THE Balearic government has approved 35.2 million euros for improvements in the Majorcan Railway Service (SFM), the regional Transport and Environment ministry confirmed yesterday.

The financing will be split up into sectors for improving safety in rolling stock (6.7 million), electrification of the line (25.2 million), the upgrade of a railway cutting, and the reconstruction of the railway line retaining wall at Sineu which collapsed in May this year causing a derailment (3.2 million).

Regional Minister, Gabriel Vicens said that the government was going to set aside 6.8 million euros for a number of projects including the dismantling of the level crossing on the Sant Jordi road, the construction of access roads to the station at Consell, the award of contract for the security and maintenance of the railway lines, and for the installation of overhead power cables on the Palma Metro.

Another project being undertaken to improve operations and security aspects of the Majorcan Railway Service is the upgrading of signalling and level crossing systems on the Palma to Inca main line, and on the Inca to Sa Pobla and Inca to Manacor branch lines. Investment will also be made in security improvements on the Metro.

The money being set aside for electrification will go to the Manacor to Arta railway line where a tram-style train will be running along an already-existing route. Building programmes are also afoot for the construction of electricity sub stations to power the line.

SFM sources said yesterday that the project for the upgrading of the railway cutting on the Manacor line will be discussed at the next company Board meeting. The same sources said that the allocation of funding by the government had come after the presentation of a report commissioned to outline deficiencies in the railway service.

The ministry has apparently come to know of “many others” but negotiations are taking place with the original construction companies over who should pay the cost of repairs.