The final revolution of the huge excavating machine that has dug a tunnel through the Pyrnees for the high speed Ave train link between Perpignan and Girona was witnessed yesterday by Spanish Development minister, Magdalena Álvarez (photo, right), and French Ecology minister, Jean-Louis Borloo (photo, second left).

Alberto Fernández Díaz, who leads the PP group on Barcelona town council, described Ms Álvarez's visit as "political cowardice" and criticised her for "not deigning to visit Barcelona."

"The minister shies away from meeting those affected by her negligent and bodged management of the high speed train network, whether these be Renfe local service passengers, residents or business owners. The minister's handling of the project has not only been negligent and incompetent, but can be categorised as political cowardice, preferring to hide herself away in the French AVE tunnel, or at a PSOE rally in Málaga, than show her face in Barcelona," he said.