This week's Weekly Document of Speed Limitations, accessed by the Agència Catalana de Notícies, points out a total of 155 critical spots across the entire Catalan railway network. A significant part of the northern R4 section, which also affects the RL4 line (from Lleida to Terrassa), is on this list. The primary reason cited is the existence of an "embankment with high risk" of landslides onto the track.
This internal report is addressed to state network workers and details the issues that require drivers to slow down, specifying the maximum speed and the reasons for the incident. Although the R4 section between Terrassa and Manresa is currently not operational (Renfe has provided road transport), the section is marked for 'slow circulation'.
Adif's internal report indicates a total of 155 slow circulation points across the entire Catalan railway network for safety reasons.
This red alert on the track is directly related to the accident on November 20, 2018, in Vacarisses, where one person died and 49 were injured due to a derailment caused by a landslide. Following the incident, Adif carried out five actions to secure the track and eight additional interventions to reinforce the slopes between Manresa and Terrassa, but the speed warning remains in place.
The critical section is not the only restriction on the R4. The line connecting Sant Vicenç de Calders to Manresa accumulates 28 speed limitations. From the start of the route at Sant Vicenç de Calders to La Granada, there are twelve points where trains must generally travel at 60 km/h, with further alterations continuing up to Martorell for various reasons such as curves or the condition of the track.
