# Former CIAF President Calls for Massive High-Speed Rail Investment Iñaki Barrón urges 10 billion euro overhaul to address systemic rail infrastructure degradation. - **Source:** [20minutos](https://www.20minutos.es) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/142bcdf6-6041-4475-a0f1-2fe9d39eacac ## Urgent Infrastructure Overhaul Needed Iñaki Barrón, former president of the CIAF, advocates for a deep surgical intervention in Spain’s high-speed rail network. He estimates a total requirement of 10 billion euros over the next decade. This budget includes 3.5 billion for immediate needs and 7 billion for long-term repairs to address years of accumulated maintenance deficits. ## State Project Over Politics Barrón emphasizes that rail development must be treated as a long-term state project rather than a partisan political agenda. Following the resignation of Transport Minister Óscar Puente, he stresses that the next government must prioritize rail transport. Continuity in infrastructure policy is essential to prevent the exponential degradation of existing railway lines. ## Systemic Control Center Issues Addressing recent accidents, Barrón argues that Adif’s control centers should not operate as isolated entities. He suggests opening these facilities to representatives from private operators like Renfe, Ouigo, and Iryo. Rather than blaming individual controllers, he points to systemic flaws within the control infrastructure that require broader oversight and operational transparency. ## Signaling System Reliability Concerns While defending the reliability of LZB and ERTMS signaling systems, Barrón highlights an alarming frequency of failures. With 170 system drops recorded in just ten months, he calls for a detailed analysis of each incident. These technical disruptions directly impact the overall functionality and regularity of the high-speed network across the country. ## Complexity of Dual Systems Spain remains unique in utilizing two distinct signaling systems simultaneously, which Barrón describes as unnecessary and complex. The interaction between primary systems and backups like ASFA creates operational confusion. Without rigorous periodic training, these complex procedures increase the risk of human error during non-routine operations in the central control rooms. ## Urda Accident Technical Analysis Regarding the recent accident near Urda, Barrón identifies a lack of intermediate signaling as a critical safety gap. He suggests that installing a signal between Urda and Mora would have likely prevented the collision. Such a measure would have forced the train to stop, effectively mitigating the risks posed by current signaling protocols. ## Operational Safety and Training The reliance on multiple, overlapping systems necessitates highly specialized training for all personnel involved. Barrón warns that the current configuration leads to confusion if procedures are not perfectly executed. Simplifying the signaling architecture could reduce the cognitive load on controllers and drivers, thereby enhancing the safety of high-speed rail operations. ## Future of Rail Governance As the CIAF integrates into a broader independent authority, the focus shifts toward structural reform. Barrón’s recommendations underscore the necessity of moving beyond reactive measures toward a proactive, well-funded maintenance strategy. Ensuring the safety and efficiency of the Spanish rail network requires sustained financial commitment and a fundamental shift in management. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.20minutos.es/nacional/expresidente-ciaf-dice-que-alta-velocidad-necesita-cirugia-profunda-con-una-inversion-10-000-millones-10-anos_7057065_0.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._