INTERNATIONAL high-speed services between Spain and France were suspended on November 30 after floodwater inundated the tunnels beneath Girona for the second time in two months.

SPANISH national train operator Renfe and German Rail (DB) subsidiary Transfesa are facing an investigation by Spanish competition authorities following evidence of a possible collusion agreement and abuse of a dominant position by the public company, which could be detrimental to other railfreight operators.

THE Catalan autonomous government presented proposals on October 16 for a project to extend the Catalan Government Railways (FGC) Llobregat-Anoia metre-gauge suburban lines from its current Barcelona terminus at Plaça de Espanya beneath the city's central Eixample district to Gràcia.

While high-speed lines have been built primarily to serve the inter-city market, regional travellers are also benefiting from the investment in new rail infrastructure. IRJ editors look at the development of regional high-speed in three European countries and consider the prospects for growth.

SPAIN's infrastructure manager Adif reopened the Figueres - Barcelona high-speed line on Saturday evening, five full days after the line was closed following severe flooding in the 7km tunnel below Girona.

INTERNATIONAL high-speed services between France and Spain have been suspended since September 29 after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in the 7km tunnel beneath Girona on the Figueres – Barcelona high-speed line.

THE Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Transport has published its draft budget for 2015 this week and once again funds allocated to rail investments will exceed those for the department's other areas of responsibility, notably roads and air transport.

THE first prototype of Talgo's new-generation Avril high-speed train has begun dynamic testing on the Spanish high-speed network.

LIGHT metro trains started commercial operation today in Malaga, making it the seventh city in Spain to have a metro. The eight-year project cost €594m to complete.

SPAIN's high-speed network infrastructure manager Adif AV has announced that it will invite bids for a €342m single 10-year contract to maintain all the telecommunication systems across the entire high-speed rail network.