Almeria businesses fear they will miss the train

SOCIAL platform Califal, which is pressing for better rail communication, has the backing of 200 leading Almeria figures.

A manifesto issued by the group – its full name is Platform Against Neglect of Almeria’s Rail Structure – was signed by Carmelo Rodriguez, rector of Almeria University, Cajamar bank president Antonio Perez Lao, the president of Cosentino, Francisco Martinez-Cosentino and film director Manuel Martin Cuenca amongst others.

The Califal manifesto entitled ‘Almeria: Get on the train!’ calls for more than co-operation from the province’s political institutions in raising awareness of the need for better rail communications. It is also asking them to take steps resulting in an immediate improvement in the province’s railway service.

“There are no words for what is happening with our rail links and the Almeria-Murcia high speed train,” declared Jose Cano, president of the Asempal business-owners’ association. Another public figure who has put his name to the manifesto, he said that the business community was tired of Almeria’s deficient rail infrastructure.

“Why are we fed up to the back teeth?” Cano asked rhetorically. Political considerations were 95 per cent to blame but Almeria’s own conformity was 5 per cent responsible, he said.