A recent decision by the Toulouse administrative court has dismissed new appeals against the Bordeaux-Toulouse high-speed rail line (LGV). This ruling, issued on December 29, 2023, highlights the court’s view that there are no satisfactory alternative solutions to mitigate impacts on protected species north of Toulouse.
Court Ruling Details
The Toulouse administrative court evaluated the appeals during a hearing on December 15. In its statement, the court emphasized that the LGV project aligns with economic and social interests and does not significantly harm the conservation of protected species.
- Judges found no adequacy in alternative proposals presented by opponents.
- Claims regarding irregularities in the environmental impact study were deemed unfounded.
Opposition Response
Jean Olivier, co-president of Friends of the Earth Midi-Pyrénées, expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision. He criticized the ruling as a repetition of SNCF’s arguments without thorough analysis. Olivier indicated that opponents are likely to appeal this ruling.
Project Benefits and Timeline
The construction of the LGV Bordeaux-Toulouse aims to significantly reduce travel time. By 2032, this route will connect Toulouse to Paris in approximately three hours and ten minutes, saving over an hour compared to current journeys.
Key Features of the LGV Project
- Construction began in 2024, starting with peripheral work around Bordeaux and Toulouse.
- An extension will connect Dax to Bordeaux, reducing travel time by twenty minutes.
- Future plans include direct connections to Spain.
Proponents argue this rail line will relieve pressure on road transport by enabling rail freight, countering the daily movement of 10,000 trucks between Bordeaux and Spain. Financial support remains a concern, prompting various local authorities in the South-West to urge the government to uphold its commitments regarding the project.
