Extremadura protesters storm Madrid for 'decent train service'

The existing line, which runs from Madrid to the Portuguese border via Badajoz and serves a large part of the region who rely on it for commuting and general travel, is beset with long delays, breakdowns and cancellations, making daily journeys a headache.

In several parts of the track, wooden sleepers from the 19^th century can still be clearly seen and, for safety reasons, the train has to slow to around 40 kilometres per hour on these parts.

Protesters did not even use the train to get to Madrid for their demonstration – aside from not being able to guarantee they would get there, it takes too long.

To cover the 400 kilometres north-east from Badajoz, which sits just a short drive from the Portuguese border and level with Lisbon, to the capital takes over six hours – compared to just three hours and 45 minutes by car along the A-5 motorway.

At least 300 coaches were thrown on to take 15,000-plus Extremadurans to Madrid instead of using the train.

They started at 11.00 with live music and other entertainment to liven up the event, all themed on the lack of a proper raiil service.

The demonstrations continued with manifestos read, banners, chants and the Extremaduran regional flag flown.

Regional president Guillermo Fernández Vara and members of his government, plus regional MPs and local councillors across all the main four parties – the PSOE (socialists), Podemos, Ciudadanos and even the right-wing PP, the same party which is in national government.

Unions, including the Labourers' Commissions (CCOO), the General Workers' Union (UGT) and the region-wide syndicate CREEx were present, together with representatives of the provincial governments and town council networks.

Some 295 town halls have signed a Social and Political Pact to press for a high-speed Madrid-Badajoz-Portugal train to be built, and 3,000 residents have signed up to it online.

At least 100 federations and associations – mainly sports- and culture-related - plus 50 different institutions or organisations, 40 companies in the tourism industry, farming societies and scores of others went along.

The city police estimated the crowd numbers at 6,500, but the demonstration organisers put it at nearer 40,000.