Train cut on West Line leaves the deputies on foot

An entourage of deputies and mayors that this Thursday intended to travel by train between Caldas da Rainha and Lisbon, demanding solutions for the West Line, took off and was forced to make the trip by car

"The goal was to make a train trip to draw attention to the problems of the line, but we were faced with the removal of the train in which we wanted to travel and make the trip in car, "Margarida Marques said.

The Socialist deputies' awareness campaign on the problems of the West Line provided that the delegation could travel between Caldas da Rainha and Entrecampos (Lisbon) by train, then by subway to the Ministry of Planning and Development. infrastructures. deliver in the cabinet of the Minister Pedro Marques a document to alert on "the state of abandonment" of the Line and the need for modernization of the same.

The 75-kilometer trip, which was supposed to take two and a half hours "was not possible" and the delegation had to "look for alternatives, as do the passengers arriving at the station every day and are confronted to the suppression of trains "

The entourage, who arrived at the Ministry" two hours ahead of schedule ", handed over to the Minister's office" a note expressing the concerns and concrete steps that should be taken , measures that are already part of the railway plan and that are normally scheduled, but whose schedule slips, "he said.

Namely, "the modernization and electrification of the West Line between Meleças and Caldas da Rainha". million euros in the plan Ferrovia 2020 and "received a favorable environmental opinion in June, and the call for tenders

The meeting with elements of the minister 's office also left" the confirmation that for the year will be launched the call for tenders for the preparation of the project between Caldas and Louriçal "and that the launch of the call for tenders for the modernization and l & # 39; Electrification of the line "is being prepared and is expected to take place in the coming months," Margarida Marques

added.The delegation informed the Government that "more is needed" the modernization of the signaling and signaling systems. telecommunication "to ensure greater safety for all users" and the renewal of rolling stock, the aging and scarcity of which led to the withdrawal of several trains.

The preparation of the study on connection to the line "ensure their inclusion in the next multi-year funding framework, "other measures" Minister Pedro Marques' cabinet "expressed its commitment to respect the already established timetables and ensured that it took the necessary steps to ensure that, in the immediate future

In addition to the Socialists elected by the Leiria Circle, the delegation included the Presidents of the Chambers of Alenquer (President of CIM Oeste), Torres Vedras and Lourinhã, Counselors of Bombarral Chambers, Cadaval, Sobral de Monte Agraço and Caldas da Rainha, Presidents of Municipal Councils and Members of Municipal Assemblies