Article 26 — Specialised railway infrastructure

1. Without prejudice to paragraph 2 of this Article, railway infrastructure capacity shall be considered to be available for the use of all types of traffic compatible with the route intended for operation in accordance with Directive (EU) 2016/797 and the specifications laid down in implementing acts adopted on the basis thereof. 2. Where there are suitable alternative routes and where in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 27 it can be demonstrated that it is justified from a social, economic and environmental perspective to do so, the infrastructure manager may, after consultation with interested parties, designate elements of infrastructure for use by specified types of traffic. In that case, the infrastructure manager shall indicate the designation in the planning documents referred to in Article 13(2) and in the network statement and shall reserve capacity for the specified types of traffic in the capacity supply plan. Such designation shall not prevent the use of such railway infrastructure by other types of traffic if capacity is available. 3. Member States shall ensure that the railway infrastructure designated pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article is indicated in the register of infrastructure referred to in Article 49 of Directive (EU) 2016/797.