25 November 2011 | Canarian Weekly
TENERIFE Cabildo's dream of installing a North-South railway may well be over following the "suspension" of the 1.8-billion euro project this week.
Carlos Alonso, Minister for Economy and Tourism, and Vice-President of the Cabildo, announced on Tuesday that, having secured funding for 15 of the 25 contracts involved in the huge "light rail" construction, it had fallen short by eight million euros.
The remaining contracts entail eight basic platform plans, six interchanges, plus workshops and garages, but the funding has not been supplied by the soon to be ex-Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's deposed Government, as promised.
At the moment, the entire project, running from Santa Cruz to Costa Adeje, has been put on hold. And, with a new Government voted in by a landslide on Sunday, PM Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party will have its hands full dealing with Spain's desperate battle to steady its woeful economy.
Alonso insisted that many of the scheme's plans were well advanced, and that the entire project had not been abandoned. He said the decision to call a halt for now was taken by the Metropolitan Board of Directors - a public rail development company under the Cabildo - because the Ministry of Public Works had not given its final approval.
Back in July, however, in an exclusive interview with Canarian Weekly, Ricardo Melchior, President of the Tenerife Cabildo, spoke enthusiastically of the rail project. He told us: "Transportation is a key area because here in Tenerife, there are more cars than people. "We are working towards a fully-integrated transport system with the South Train, which could be a reality within approximately five years." Crucially, he added: "It depends on the prioritisation of the project from the Spanish Government's perspective.
Each year in Santa Cruz there are 15 million tram-users, and this has lowered congestion by 8-9% within four years."
Only a week early, Zapatero had then given his wholehearted support to the railway, pledging that all funds would be available for that and other major Canary Island projects during the remainder of his term in office. That appeared to be the final stamp of approval needed by Tenerife Cabildo to press ahead with the railway.
Even before this green light, a mobile information Roadshow had been dispatched to every proposed station along the North-South route.
The information centre proved invaluable for many of its thousands of visitors, who were supplied with every detail about the light rail installation, including the fact that it would provide a rapid link between North and South airports.
The Cabildo still believes that, apart from providing a vital, much-needed transport service, it will give the tourism sector an enormous boost because both Islanders and holiday-makers alike will want to experience the thrill of travelling on the new trains.
Alonso still appears confident that the new Spanish Government can be persuaded to sign the required agreement to enable the work to go ahead. "We will keep trying to get this signed before the end of the year," he said. "But we believe that it is prudent to suspend part of work now so that the uncertainty does not continue."
Each train, we have been told, will hold 450 passengers, carrying up to 30,000 passengers a day between Santa Cruz and Costa Adeje. Seven stations along the route have been pencilled in for Santa Cruz, Añaza, Candelaria, San Isidro, Tenerife South Airport, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje, plus an additional stop at the port of Fonsalia, in Guia de Isora, with services running every 15 minutes at speeds of up to 220kph.
No official announcements have yet been made by Rajoy or his close colleagues, but the Tenerife railway, viewed by some as a pipedream only, may remain just that.
The following news clipping is from Canarian Weekly
Spain's Prime Minister gives a resounding Yes to Tenerife's new railway
01 July 2011 | Canarian Weekly
THE long-awaited railway linking North and South Tenerife, was finally given the green light on Wednesday by Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
His sure-fire guarantee that the estimated 1.8billion euro project goes ahead will be heralded throughout the Island as a major coup. The Prime Minister has also pledged that he will give his whole-hearted support for the remainder of his year in office to all the other commitments in the Canary Islands, including the train project for Gran Canaria.
His government will meet soon to discuss the signing of agreements for the financing of these major works. As if that weren't enough, Zapatero also promised that his government would comply with all other commitments to the Canaries, including the tourism drive, the air rate cut, the Canary Water Law, plus employment and investment funds.
So, whatever the state of the country and however hard it has been hit by the recession, life WILL go on full steam ahead in Tenerife and the other Canary Islands. And all funds already pledged by the Government will be honoured.
Only last week, in an exclusive interview with Canarian Weekly, Ricardo Melchior, President of the Tenerife Cabildo, spoke enthusiastically of the rail project. He told us: "Transportation is a key area because here in Tenerife, there are more cars than people. "Tenerife is working towards a fully-integrated transport system with the South Train, which could be a reality within approximately five years." Crucially, he added: "It depends on the prioritisation of the project from the Spanish Government's perspective. Each year in Santa Cruz there are 15 million tram users, and this has lowered congestion by 8-9% within four years."
Melchior will have been delighted at the Prime Minister's prompt response, which suggests the railway could be built a lot sooner than anticipated. The Cabildo has been working hard to promote the North-South railway, which will provide a rapid link between both airports.
Earlier this year, a mobile booth travelled around the Island supplying all the answers to questions from interested residents about the "light rail" installation, which will run between Santa Cruz and Costa Adeje. The Cabildo believes that apart from providing a vital, much-needed transport service, it will give the tourism sector an enormous boost because both Islanders and holiday-makers alike will want to experience the thrill
of travelling on the new trains.
Powered by 100% renewable energy, they will each hold 450 passengers and should carry up to 30,000 passengers a day between Santa Cruz and Costa Adeje. There will be seven stops along the route, with an additional stop at the port of Fonsalia, in Guia de Isora. The stations will be located at Santa Cruz, Añaza, Candelaria, San Isidro, Tenerife South Airport, Los Cristianos and Las Americas, with services running every
15 minutes at speeds of up to 220kph.
The trains will come from Reina Sofia Airport to a small stop in Las Chafiras (they are not yet sure where). There will then be a major stop in Los Cristianos and on to the final stop in the municipality of Adeje. A vast amount of the train journey will be underground - in fact, some 40 metres under the ground - tunnelling through the Guaza mountain and running under sections of both Arona and Adeje.
The entire journey, from Santa Cruz to Adeje will take just 39 minutes, which will almost certainly cut down on the daily TF1 traffic, especially during the rush-hours.
The following news clipping has been translated from laopinion.es
The president, Ricardo Melchior, said that the Transrapid is the fastest (385 km / h) and quietest type of train for this route.
23 November 2010 | Maryori GONZÁLEZ
"The Transrapid is intended to connect the North to the South of the Island quickly and effectively. We will not need a train for each side of the island." This was stated yesterday by the President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Ricardo Melchior, who opted for this new means of transport, modern and fast, moving on magnetic levitation to meet the expectations of an efficient public transport network.
Ricardo Melchior hoped that "if everything goes as planned and we conclude negotiations with a German consortium, we will have finished the talking process by the second half of January 2011."
The president wanted to clarify that "at no time will we try to use a bigger budget" designed to cover the conventional rail than initially thought. He said that currently are in the middle period of negotiation with the German government to reach an agreement. "If it is confirmed that the initial cost of such transportation does not exceed the budget estimates for the installation of a commuter train, once approved the feasibility, we will proceed to settle the Transrapid in Tenerife" he said.
He acknowledged that the initial investment cost is higher, but the maintenance is lower than the conventional line. Only the Southern Railway, with commuter rail, would involve an investment of approximately 2,300 million euros, while the North would require an investment of 1,100 million euros.
Melchior, who declined to specify what the exact cost of the new system is therefore under negotiation, said that both transportation projects can not live, but would establish the conventional train or maglev. The president had an impact on enhancing the advantages of the Transrapid, "It is a way to have a fast train and causes less impact on the ground."
It is expected that the train will reach a top speed of 385 kilometers per hour. In addition, Melchior believes it is "suitable for our complicated terrain since it does not run on rails but on a beam located on stilts several feet above the ground."
In principle, the magnetic rail goes through the middle of the beam and Melchior announced that this implies that "you can make the path with smaller radius of curvature." Among other benefits, said it is "very quiet and comfortable" as "the process of acceleration and deceleration is very fast."
Currently, the only Transrapid is operating in China, which links the airport to downtown Shanghai, a distance of just under 40 miles.
Melchior remarked "This new train in Tenerife will go around the island in minutes."
The following news clipping has been translated from diariodeavisos.com
The tunnel Añaza-Tabaiba and the change of layout at the airport and Erques ravine, major developments
13 September 2010 | Vicente Perez | Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The future train between Santa Cruz and Adeje will pass through tunnels and viaducts in almost one third of its course, according to the project is public information. A document that incorporates the main innovations with respect to the route originally planned tunnel, 3.3 miles between Añaza and Tabaiba, as well as the change of layout at the airport in the South - to be buried under the future second track provided by AENA and Erques ravine to avoid pillars on the runway as it is a protected natural area.
The processing of the project is going ahead with the views of the council held to award the first works in 2011 or 2012, telling it that that the Ministry of Development to be involved fully in what would be the biggest infrastructure implemented in Tenerife, and pending what will happen with Ben Magec judicial remedy against the territorial plan of the train insular arguing that the Corporation has no powers in this area yet, but the Islands' Government.
Although time is an imagined reality, the environmental impact study and incorporates some images that will reflect how the railway line, of which this newspaper today played some, like the viaduct to be built at the height of Puertito Güímar.
The trip will start at the underground station of Santa Cruz, under the current initial stop of the tram. The train tunnel will be out in the city, with viaducts in Honduras and Puerto de la Punta Marangallo. Before Añaza, where there will be an underground station near the mall, start a tunnel, coming up Tabaiba, saving residential and industrial areas as Acorán, the site of La Campana, El Chorrillo and Radazul.
The platform of the railway will surface along the slopes of El Varadero and ravines of Los Guirre, Los Juncos and Las Moradillo, with trenches up to 12 feet deep and embankments up to 17 meters high, and an emergency zone. Before Barranco Hondo back underground with a tunnel of 2.6 kilometers to Las Caletillas. Away from here runs on the surface attached to the TF-1, west of the highway. In the Villa Mariana will be a season. Cross the Guimar Valley to stay on the south side, a succession of ridges and ravines, through the Eras Altas, near the boundary between Fasnia and Arico. From here follows a northeast-southwest direction parallel to the TF-1, but is separated from it in several links to various roads not affect them, and pass on a viaduct on the PCAN petrol station and the stream of Crow's Nest.
The abandoned railway corridor of the TF-1 to spend in future tunnel under the airport runway, where a station is planned. The train saves the Granadilla industrial estate with fake tunnels and a viaduct.
After the Reina Sofía, the train becomes parallel to the TF-1 in 7 miles north side, and crosses the ravine of La Orchilla false tunnel. A mile later a viaduct of 1,000 meters to save the filter of the Valle de San Lorenzo, the link road and the future of the Queen, and then there will be another viaduct of 180 feet above a road network and a third 140 on link Guaza and the ravine of Las Galletas. A 3.3 km tunnel will pass under Mountain Guaza without affecting the protected natural area. The last 5.4 miles of travel between Los Cristianos and Las Americas will be underground.
The following news clipping has been translated from abc.es
20 July 2010
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, July 20 (EFE) .- Izquierda Unida record a question in the House of Representatives to find out if funding is planned for the train north of Tenerife and, if so, filed a legislative proposal to block money and divert to the "real" needs of the Canaries.
This was announced by the Coordinator of Izquierda Unida Canaria (IUC) in Tenerife, Ramon Trujillo, who said at a news conference that his rejection of this railway project is because it is based on a mobility project "unsustainable" because the train " not compete with the car, but with the bus. "
In his view, if so far is 83 percent of private car use on the island, with the north train this percentage does not increase, but increased by one point.
This is because, according to the island of IUC coordinator, for the train to promote consumption of land, building more parking areas and more infrastructure.
He noted that the special land transport plan de Tenerife in 2027 is projected to cars consume 18 percent more fuel, while in the case of the bus is reduced by 26 percent due to strong reduction in the use of public transport.
"It is absurd to raise public transport to compete with other public transport. It is a waste with an initial cost of 1,240 million euros, while the bus lane would cost 386 million but is discarded because it costs less," he quipped.
He said the train and the tram can be positive always be preceded by a plan of sustainable mobility, but in the Tenerife Cabildo estimates already acknowledged that it will break their desire to reduce the number of journeys per person and roads.
Also shown in these forecasts to be avoided supermarkets increased, as incentives for mobility, and the island leads the number of these facilities by number of inhabitants, while in the metropolitan area has been used to Tenerife in 8000 the parking spaces.
"Canary Islands is the territory of the world with over official documents to which nobody pays any attention," said Trujillo.
In fact, the paper said IUC shares 90 percent of the Canary Government claims that its proposals are shown "absolutely desirable and right," because everything is "sustainable" in the theory, the opposite of what then practice.
Ramon Trujillo added that the possibility of financing the north train with private money would increase the cost "so brutal" and in any case, he argued, delays in infrastructure construction resulting from the crisis would cause a delay in construction, but not to desist from building "something unnecessary."
IUC proposes to discuss a sustainable mobility plan for the island based on public transport and major projects "subordinated to the interests of money." ASDS EFE / spf
The following news clipping has been translated from diariodeavisos.com
CC urges the State Government to include rail projects in North and South on the initiative presented by Zapatero, which provides 17 000 million investment
13 April 2010 | RODRÍGUEZ Bethlehem | Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The group Canary Coalition (CC) in the City Council has filed a motion urging the State Government to include projects in the North and South railway in the Special Infrastructure Plan (IEP), which was reported last week Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and is endowed with 17,000 million euros. In this context, the Minister of Economy and Competitiveness island, Carlos Alonso, said yesterday at a press conference that "once again, the state has become to exclude infrastructure Canaries scope of PEI."
Compared to 120,000 million euros under the state plan horizon from 2005 to 2020, the island has received the amount "not insignificant" of 15 million, quipped the director. This amount will not successfully develop the infrastructure needed Tenerife, says the motion, and the need for "an agreement allowing the overall funding structure" in order to tender the works in 2011 "without causing delay in the implementation of this important projects, "he adds.
Although the scenario of trains on the island is a priori not very flattering to the Cabildo and the Canary Islands not listed in the IEP, Alonso said CC "not give up" and PP and PSOE expected to endorse a motion to so we can amend this "injustice." However, the advisor does not think the central government has "no" to DC to exclude from the national rail plan for projects of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, but expressed his conviction that "there are still lots of cake to cut."
CC's motion adds that an application for investment in Tenerife would achieve during the term of the Plan an amount of 2,094 million euros, "without taking into account the historic lack of investment in the island in this area by the State .
On the other hand, Alonso also spoke of the specific case of the proposed rail corridor south of the island, where the council proposes a model of funding comparable to that developed from delPEI, which is that the central government make the deferred financing time and limited to the difference between the total project cost, including the holding and the business income. This economic effort of 1,800 million euros, is profitable, said the adviser, who expects the South railway project, its financing and the bidding of his work are completed before the end of 2011.
Today the state has granted a funding of 0.01% of total investment, which are 15, totaling 120,000 million rail schemes in North and South, "an amount that is not presentable nor justifiable" said Alonso.
Patronage
The Special Infrastructure Plan, introduced last week by the State Government will mobilize an investment of 17,000 million euros for road and rail, through a system of public-private financing.
Thus, during 2010 and 2011 the Ministry of Public Works will tender for 11,900 million euros to improve and build new rail lines, while others contest that will take 5100 million to reform and promote new roads.
The funding will be carried out in collaboration with the European Investment Bank, the Official Credit Institute, the Spanish Banking Association and the Spanish Confederation of Savings Banks.