THE Balearic government yesterday gave the go ahead for the construction of a train line between Manacor and Arta. Regional Transport Minister Gabriel Vicens said that the bid would be put out to public tender at the end of the year and works will begin at the start of 2010.
The Majorcan Railway Service (SFM) has been granted the necessary permits for the execution of the works, with Vicens giving assurances yesterday that the project will be complete within the present government's term of office. He pointed out that the Manacor to Arta train route was one of the schemes earmarked in a 2004-2011 public transport development plan approved by the Balearic Parliament.
There has been plenty of opposition to the project on environmental grounds so the current plans have incorporated several modifications to minimise impact on the landscape.