We are a group of persons that are worried about the plans of a high speed train ( AVE -Alta Velocidad Española-), planned by the Spanish Ministerio de Fomento right through the center of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). The approach of the project and the wreckless way it is brought through is worrying us to a great extent. Also, the scarce amount of information about the project is another worry. Important studies and controls are missing in the project e.g. the consequences of vibrations that the high speed train will have on the world famous Sagrada Familia (Gaudí's Holy Family) once it is running and the vibrations and stress the famous building will face during the construction of the tunnel below it. The State has not listened to either the criticisms of the local Platform AVE pel Litoral or the allegations of the Association of the Holy Family (the Sagrada Familia preservation society).

Three alternatives to the current project have been brought up. The alternative that has been favoured by the citizens is the one outlined at the coast. It would cost less, that of the outline for the coast, less costly economically, since many of the stretches are already constructed and it would only be necessary to broaden them. The fact that the construction of a TGV train station at the Passeig de Gràcia at the centre of Barcelona has been left due to "technical difficulties" does not justify a complete blockage of the coast line alternative.

Apart from the risk the construction of the tunnel would have on the Sagrada Familia we would also like to stress that this is not the only building endangered by the TGV project. The Pedrera (also by Gaudí) and many other houses which are built in the area of the tunnel would be affected and by that, the people living in these buildings.

2. What do we want what to achieve?
That the Spanish State, the Unesco, the Vatican, the European Parliament, the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Town Council of Barcelona and any institution that should act in the defense of an architectural masterpiece and a historical building get to know your opinion about the TGV project and that they act to stop the project. For achieving this we need that you send these institutions an e- mail.

3. Do we have money? No
We do not have money that allows us to do more actions than this campaign.

4. Do we want money? No
For the time being we are not constituted and we do not have any other platform for collecting money. If the campaign is a success and we achieve our goals, we would set new targets and then, and only then, consider raising funds and collecting money. Any person or organisation asking you for money in our name will be committing a fraud/swindle. If any communiqué should be asking you for money, please, send us an e-mail to inform us.

5. Who do we depend on? Nobody, we are independent.
Nobody has pushed us to carry out this project and nobody gives us money for its execution or maintenance. Only we depend on you to give us support by sending an e-mail to the responsible and listed persons/organisations.

6. To whom is the mail sent?
The mail is sent to the Spanish government, the Vatican, the UNESCO, the European Parliament, the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Town Council of Barcelona, and to any institution involved in the defense of the local and world-wide historical sites and of the persons to the Spanish government and the Unesco. We also send the mail to the Adif (Administrator of Infraestructuras Ferroviarias), to the Renfe (National Red of them Ferrocarriles Españoles) and to the state companies entrusted of the construction and management of this high-speed train project.