The Mediterranean railway corridor would return 11% of economic investment

València (ACN).- The presidents of the Chambers of Commerce of Barcelona and València have explained infrastructure priorities in a this morning's press conference at València. The results of a study show that the return of the original investment to build the Mediterranean railway corridor would be 11%. The President of Barcelona’s Chamber of Commerce, Miquel Valls, has stated that this infrastructure is a top priority for the Catalan and Valencian economies, as well as for the entire EU.

The President of València’s Chamber of Commerce, José Vicente Morata, considers it “essential” that “all the harbours” are linked with a European standard railway with a high-speed capacity. He explained that the cheapest way to transport freight is via boat and thus all products from Asia will primarily enter through the south of Europe via the Barcelona, Tarragona and València harbours. It is a top-priority that they are linked with the rest of Europe via European-wide railways.

Since the 19^th century, Spain has had smaller railways to prevent a French invasion. So the entire state’s railway network is non-compatible with the rest of Europe, excepting the high-speed network. The Mediterranean corridor will have a European standard width, also able for high-speed trains. The corridor will be mixed, for both freight and passengers.

The presidents of the 2 chambers of commerce have also stated that 55% of all freight transported in Spain is along the Mediterranean corridor. 60% of the freight entering Spain is done through Mediterranean harbours, which have grown 39% in the last 9 years, opposed to 22% for the rest of the country. Not speaking of the social, cultural and tourism advantages that the railway corridor would represent.