Spain Lowers Speed Limit on High-Speed Train Routes Amid Safety Concerns

Tue Feb 03 2026 13:02:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In response to safety issues, Spain reduces the speed limit on a key train route after a fault was discovered. This follows a tragic collision that raised alarms regarding rail safety.

Spanish authorities have enforced a temporary speed limit cut to 80km/h on the high-speed rail line between Madrid and Barcelona due to a detectable fault discovered in the track. This comes in the wake of a tragic accident that resulted in 45 fatalities, sparking widespread concern over rail safety. Despite the fault, officials assured that it’s safe for trains to continue operating. The situation further complicates following significant disruptions in local services.

Spanish rail authorities have temporarily reduced the speed limit on part of the high-speed line between Madrid and Barcelona after a fault was detected on the track. Transport Minister Óscar Puente reported that a crack had been found on Sunday night in the line 110km (68 miles) west of Barcelona, specifically between Alcover and l'Espluga de Francolí in the Catalonia region.

This decision follows a high-speed collision that killed 45 people in southern Spain and coincides with severe disruptions in local rail services across the north-east. The transport ministry stated that despite the fault, the line remains safe for train travel.

The new speed limit will be set at 80km/h (50mph) until further notice, a stark contrast to the usual maximum speeds of 300km/h on this heavily trafficked route.

The transport ministry had already instituted other temporary speed reductions following reports of vibrations and anomalies on different sections of the line. For instance, limits were lowered to 230km/h in some areas before being returned to the standard 300km/h after technical assessments.

Meanwhile, the local Rodalies rail service in Catalonia has faced substantial disruptions, prompting a review of safety measures. Incidents leading to service suspensions, including a tragic case involving a trainee driver, have increased scrutiny of the rail system. The government has not ruled out possibilities of cyberattacks linked to these recent disturbances.

These measures arrive as officials continue to investigate the causes behind the recent severe train crash in Andalusia, where flawed sections of track appeared to be a critical factor. Calls for accountability have led to demands for the resignation of the transport minister amidst rising public concern.