Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (Adif) has fenced 13 kilometres of train tracks in municipalities near Collserola Natural Park. This action aims to prevent wild boars from accessing the railway infrastructure. The initiative follows a declaration of African swine fever alert in November last year, posing a risk to public health and transport safety.
Adif focused its efforts on the R4 line in the Baix Llobregat area, specifically in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Molins de Rei, and El Papiol. On the other side of the mountain, along the Vallès section of the R4, Adif also acted in areas of Cerdanyola, Barberà, and Sabadell. Additionally, fencing was installed on the R8 line in Rubí and Castellbisbal, which carries freight trains despite not currently serving Rodalies passenger services.
Specialised Fencing Design
The fences installed to deter wild boars differ from those designed to prevent human trespassing. According to Adif sources, the classic fence installed at ground level is not enough; it must be accompanied by underground shielding to prevent animals from digging and creating a gap that renders the fencing useless, according to Adif has fenced 13 kilometres. This specialised design ensures the barriers remain effective against determined wildlife.
Adif's primary objective is to prevent wild boars from causing collisions with trains. Such incidents could lead to significant service disruptions and, critically, spread contaminated animal remains across the country. This risk became apparent after a recent incident involving a high-speed train.
High-Speed Train Incident
An incident already occurred on 23 April when the last AVE train travelling from Madrid to Barcelona struck a wild boar. Although the high-speed line features extensive fencing, a wild boar entered the tracks somewhere in the Penedès region. Its remains were carried on the front and undercarriage of the train, arriving at Sants station in Barcelona.
This situation prompted officials to activate a special protocol at Sants station. Workers safely removed the animal remains from the station and the section of tracks where the collision happened. This swift response aimed to ensure the African swine fever did not spread via the train beyond the already infected zone. The new fencing around Collserola is a proactive measure to avoid similar occurrences.
Protecting Public Health and Transport
The ongoing fencing project underscores Adif's commitment to protecting both railway operations and public health. By implementing these robust barriers, Adif reduces the likelihood of train collisions involving wild boars. This also helps contain the potential spread of African swine fever, a critical concern for animal welfare and regional biosecurity. Adif continues to monitor areas susceptible to wild boar incursions to maintain the safety of the rail network.
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Originally published by La Vanguardia Catalonia. Read original article.
