The conclusions of the report indicate in particular that this route could harm species and natural habitats of European concern.
In its latest report delivered at the end of July, the Environmental Authority states that at the stage where the file for the western bypass of Nîmes is presented, “many elements are missing to be able to demonstrate its public utility”. But above all, this independent entity in charge of environmental assessment points out that for the time being, nothing justifies “imperative reasons of overriding public interest”, no more than the modification of local urban plans.
Natura 2000 websites
Furthermore, the Environmental Authority indicates that this route “could harm species and natural habitats of European concern”and that the conditions for not damaging the integrity of Natura 2000 sites and the preservation of protected species are not met.
For Nîmes Métropole, which is following the case closely, there is nothing surprising. “Since the start of the project, President Franck Proust has been lucid about the difficulties and constraints caused by such a route, entrusts Bernard Baumelou, the chief of staff of the Agglo. Today, we prefer to hold than run and we focus instead on the creation of the road bar connecting the RD40 to the A9.” A section, largely financed by Vinci, that community elected officials would like to see included in the 2022 motorway plan contract.
The Department “favorable” to the project
For its part, the Department of Gard – which for the time being is still not the recipient of the conclusions of the report of the Environmental Authority! – recalls that the Nîmes western bypass project is included in the State-Region plan contract for 2014-2020 with 50% financial support from the State, which is the contracting authority; knowing that the other fifty percent are divided by quarter between the Region, the Department and the agglomerations of Nîmes and Alès. “We are in favor of the creation of this bypass”recalls Martin Delord, departmental councilor in charge of roads, who also points out that “its inclusion in the plan contract qualifies this axis of regional interest”.
In the meantime, the Environmental Authority announces that it will issue a new opinion on the file presented to the public inquiry in the coming months.
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