Press Release: Ombudsman asks EIB to review environmental impact of Spanish high-speed train project

The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, asked the European Investment Bank (EIB) to review the environmental impact of a planned high-speed railway line going through Barcelona, Spain. This followed a complaint from a resident of Barcelona, who alleged that the tunnel project for the train would cause serious environmental damage. In the complainant's view, the EIB's agreement to co-finance this segment of the project was wrong. During his investigation, the Ombudsman could not find any record of a proper review by the EIB of the environmental impact assessment for the segment of the project going through Barcelona. He therefore asked the EIB not to provide any financial assistance before carrying out and fully documenting such a review.