This is the 18th appeal dismissed against the Jargeau diversion project. But this time, it’s probably one defeat too many for the opponents: the declaration of public utility (DUP) is confirmed by the Administrative Court of Appeal of Nantes. The project is more than ever confirmed – it consists of relieving congestion in the town center of Jargeau, by building 15 km of new tracks, including a bridge over the Loire between Darvoy and Mardié.
An undoubtedly decisive legal victory
The DUP was granted in 2016 by the prefect, and had already been approved in 2018 by the administrative court of Orléans. But Mardiéval Association appealed, and based a lot of hopes on the Nantes jurisdiction, considering that several elements had since appeared – in particular a BRGM report which had highlighted the particular fragility of the limestone subsoil in this place. A risk that was then integrated into the specifications of the Baudin-Châteauneuf company, responsible for building the bridge.
The Court of Nantes considers in particular that the environmental impact has been correctly taken into accountwith compensation measures that “significantly reduce it“: the judges thus evoke “in-depth reflection to preserve the environment in which the project takes place”. Conclusion: the disadvantages remain inferior to the public utility – streamline and secure the routes in this sector of Jargeau.
Relief in the Loiret Department
“Unfortunately, we were not heard by the Courtregret Thierry Solerformer elected environmentalist and President of Mardieval, while the public utility is less and less proven: when we see what is happening this summer at the climatic level, continuing to head forward by giving priority to cars and heavy goods vehicles, this seems completely absurd. But that, obviously, was not taken into account in the merits of the judgment.“The association nevertheless wants to believe that”the fight is not over” – other appeals have not yet been served, but they seem legally less important.
Conversely, the Department of Loiret does not hide its relief. “We don’t do triumphalismtempers Marc Gaudet, the president of the Department, but it is the demonstration that we have complied with all the procedures, that nothing has been hidden, and that the project is exemplary in terms of the environment. With this diversion, we are not going to develop road traffic but simply move it, relieving the city center of Jargeau, Darvoy and St Denis-de-l’Hôtel, but also that of the Thinat bridge in Orléans.“The work, which has already begun, will be able to continue”in serenity“, concludes Marc Gaudet, who hopes for a commissioning in 2024/2025, in accordance with the planned schedule.