The municipality of Talavera de la Reina, in the province of Toledo, has declared it is "fully prepared" to receive the high-speed rail connection in 2030, according to its mayor, José Julián Gregorio, during a roundtable on the Madrid-Portugal AVE project.
The mayor emphasized that the arrival of the high-speed line is "essential" to boost the economy, attract impactful investments, and consolidate the expansion of Talavera and its region. He also highlighted the natural environment of the Tagus River, mentioning the potential for tourist, leisure, and sporting activities like kayaking.
In terms of investments, Talavera has secured significant announcements: the expansion of the Schreiber Foods plant, a manufacturer including the Hacendado brand, which plans to invest 120 million euros to increase its production capacity in the city. These initiatives reinforce the municipal statement that it is "going through a crucial moment" to attract investment.
However, the official deadlines for the high-speed connection present nuances. The project for the section including Talavera de la Reina plans the electrification of the conventional line for 2027-2028, while the full high-speed service will depend on the Madrid-Toledo-Talavera route and its subsequent link to Portugal.
Another focus of debate is the urban integration of the railway line. It is expected that better connectivity with Madrid will boost the real estate market, attract logistics companies, diversify production, and promote river and nature tourism along the Tagus. On a social level, greater accessibility can foster job creation and population retention in an area that has historically seen migration to the capital.
The pending challenge is to turn announcements into reality. At a recent session of the Project Monitoring Commission, the city government acknowledged that there will be expropriations of homes in areas near the AVE route. The plan contemplates integration solutions such as trenches or elevated passages instead of complete undergrounding, a decision that has caused concern among residents in neighborhoods like El Pilar.
In his speech, the mayor also highlighted the city's historical, cultural, and gastronomic character, as well as its geographical location—flat and easily accessible—which makes it an "ideal environment to live and develop businesses".
