The Catalan government is asking France to implement a mixed-gauge line between Perpignan and Béziers as a continuation of the Perthus line. This would create an infrastructure that can accommodate traffic in both standard and Iberian gauge further into France.
The request was made to the French infrastructure manager SNCF Réseau during consultations on the renovation of the section, which is part of the wider Perpignan-Monpellier railway, according to Spanish media El Mercantil. In addition, the Catalan government also stressed the importance of completing this project before the deadline set by France in 2040.
The line running from Barcelona to Perpignan, part of the TEN-T Mediterranean Corridor, is vital for rail freight as it allows direct links between Spain and France without having to change rolling stock. The proposed mixed-gauge line to Béziers should not replace the current line, the Catalan government argued, but provide an alternative option to the existing lines.