Vías verdes "Greenways", to reuse disused mil-wais line for non motorised itineraries, leisure and tourism

Abstract

Greenways are autonomous infrastructures destined to the non-motorised traffic, which use linear infrastructures out of service: railway platforms decommissioned and canal or river towpaths. Their specific characteristics like FACILITY, COMFORT, SAFETY and the gentle inclines convert them into wonderful places for walking or riding bicycle, and into accessible spaces for people with limited mobility (children, elderly and disabled people). In Spain there are more than 8.000 km of abandoned railway lines, which are prepared for going through 1.800 km. On the Spanish Greenways Program, coordinated by the Spanish Railways Foundation (FFE) and executed by the Ministry for the Environment, Renfe, feve, Regions, Provinces and City Councils, 38 Greenways have already been very well conditioned, adding 950 km of length and some 40 M Euro (6.500 M pta) invested. In 1998 the European Greenways Association was born, presided until now by the FFE. At the international leve1 the greatest success has been to receive the United Nations Good Practices Habitat 2000 International Award. The published Greenways Guide (two volumes), where are included 1.800 Greenways km, the web site www.viasverdes.com and the continuous spreading in several media, are a essential part of the promotion labour that is developed by FFE.