The president of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed high-speed train line (AVE) to Extremadura through Toledo. During the closing event of the year honoring Castilla-La Mancha as the European Region of Sport 2024, he criticized the project for resembling what he called "scalextric" designs, implying the engineering plans are overly complicated and detrimental.
García-Page's remarks came shortly after Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, announced the publication of the informative study concerning the new route. Page voiced his discontent without naming the Minister directly, referring to proposals made by engineers who envision building bridges over sensitive areas of the city. "There are some engineers who are not only focused on making bridges but are also trying to build something akin to ‘scalextric,’ which will likely be named ‘bridge’ by the people of Toledo,” he claimed.
He elaborated on how such construction would significantly impact hundreds of residents living nearby and would also threaten the city's rich heritage, archaeological sites, and visual aesthetics. "These engineers tend to complicate what should be straightforward," he asserted, urging the need for the AVE to be integrated, yet insisting it should come with the best possible project to minimize adverse effects on the community.
Adding to Page's concerns, Nacho Hernando, the regional Minister of Development, joined the debate, emphasizing the need for precision and care concerning Toledo's cultural heritage. "Toledo is more about fine details than being indifferent; we cannot afford to compromise our status as a World Heritage site,” Hernando criticized Puente’s assertions. He demonstrated confidence in collaborating with former mayor Milagros Tolón, who currently serves as the delegate for the Spanish government. Hernando hopes this partnership would persuade the ministry to adopt more mindful approaches to Toledo’s historical significance.
Prior experiences have led Hernando to draw sharp contrasts between the treatment of Toledo’s project versus others. For example, he pointed out how the ministry had actively discussed integration plans for Talavera de la Reina’s train connections, engaging local leaders and valuing their input. "Why were we excluded from discussions about our city’s future?" he questioned. Hernando has continued to label the constructed proposed for the AVE as overly excessive, dubbing it "a Port Aventura with a huge roller coaster" due to the planned series of viaducts and tunnels meant to navigate Toledo’s challenging geography.
Reacting to the glaring opposition to the AVE project from his local party members, Minister Puente emphasized the importance of this infrastructure project for improving connections between Madrid, Extremadura, and beyond. Yet, García-Page and Hernando are more concerned about the local impact, insisting on the preservation of Toledo’s Santa Bárbara station and advocating for strategies to mitigate visual and environmental damage.
Milagros Tolón, the former mayor of Toledo and current government delegate, has also opposed the AVE through Toledo. She previously advocated for rerouting the line around Toledo, preserving the current station for Avant trains, and constructing new stops outside the city to handle connections to Talavera and Extremadura. "The AVE will stop in Toledo, this has never been questioned. The Santa Bárbara station remains untouchable,” she confirmed at the time.
Current Toledo's mayor, Carlos Velázquez, representing the opposing Popular Party, supports Puente's vision, recognizing the AVE as a unique opportunity for the city to connect with the larger Madrid-Lisbon line. He cautioned, though, about the need to protect the historic visual aspects of Toledo. Velázquez has indicated his willingness to facilitate communication between the ministry and the regional government, hoping to reach consensus to minimize the project's visual impact.
García-Page remained steadfast during the event, indicating this matter is far from settled. "We will continue to fight for the interests of our region," he stated earnestly. Highlighting his commitment, he emphasized, "No one should be mistaken; we intend to be even stronger going forward, as protecting the heritage and essence of Castilla-La Mancha is fundamental for us.”
This clash between regional sentiment and national project proposals encapsulates the broader struggle for local identity and heritage preservation against infrastructural development pressures. The fate of the AVE project may not only define the future of transportation through Castilla-La Mancha but also set precedents for local governance and national planning harmony.
