The rail freight services in the area of Orense in Northwest Spain will be disrupted between 8 and 24 May due to works on a high-speed connection between Galicia and Madrid. As a result, the poultry cooperative Coren will not be able to use the customised rail freight service to supply the logistics area in San Cibrao, Orense with cereal.

The cereal comes from the port of Marin, in the province of Pontevedra, 120 kilometres far from Orense. Coren is the largest Spanish turkey and chicken egg supplier and the rail service is essential to secure its supply chain. The disruption will also affect the rail freight service of Sogama, the main rubbish area in Galicia, which receives one daily train from Taboadela, 16 kilometres far from Orense. Both goods will have to be transported by lorries.

Civil works

The civil works are to build the high-speed rail track between Taboadela and Orense. Meanwhile, the remaining rail freight services will be directed to other rail tracks. In addition, passenger services between Orense and Zamora will use coaches, although night services between Monforte and Leon will be operated as normal.

There are eight construction companies working in the area, not only to develop the high-speed rail connection but also to upgrade the bridge over river Miño, taking advantage of the absence of trains during this period. When these works are completed, passenger and cargo services can resume regular operations. There will be another shutdown in October 2019, taking around 15 days.