The Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional council approved in plenary session the financing plan for the Great South West Railway Project (GPSO), which will allow the construction of a new high-speed line between Toulouse and Bordeaux, via Agen, and capable of welcome its first passengers in 2032. This TGV will take an hour to make the link between the two metropolises of the South-West, and a large majority of elected officials * voted in favor of this project, a factor of territorial development.

“Historic decision”

“The decision we are taking today,” President (PS) Alain Rousset solemnly declared at the start of the debate, “is historic: let us no longer be the poor relation between railways in the regions of France. “
Recall that in its entirety (Toulouse / Bordeaux line, and Bordeaux / Dax line) the GPSO will cost a whopping 14 billion euros, 40% of which will be retained by the State, 20% by the European Union and 40% by the local authorities – with on the one hand Occitanie (which brings together around twenty contributing communities) and on the other hand Nouvelle-Aquitaine (around ten).
The financing plan adopted yesterday indicates that the investment is estimated at 10.3 billion for the Bordeaux / Toulouse axis: 900 million for the developments north of Toulouse, 900 million for those needed south of Bordeaux, and 8.5 billion for most of the line, straddling Occitania and New Aquitaine.

56% of the project paid for by Occitanie

The 40% share allocated to the two Regions therefore amounts (still in Bordeaux / Toulouse) to 4.1 billion. In addition 1.4 billion for Bordeaux / Dax. Occitanie’s share of funding is higher for Toulouse / Bordeaux, much lower for Bordeaux / Dax, and overall (two rail lines) 56% of the GPSO is borne by Occitanie.
Of the relevant 44% of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the regional council will assume the expense of 710 million. In Lot-et-Garonne, investments are much lower: excluding tax, the general council – which refuses to participate in the financing – sees its contribution reduced to 52.2 million and the Agglo d’Agen to 18.7 million . The Department’s stake acquired by Sophie Borderie is therefore at 3% the neo-Aquitaine part of the GPSO, and that headed by Jean Dionis at 1%.

Investment amortized over 40 years

The amortization of the investment made by the communities will be spread over forty budgetary years. Or 1.3 million per year for the Department of Lot-et-Garonne, and € 470,000 for Agglo d’Agen.
“We must go”, recognized the elected Republicans, and the centrists and independents. Recognizing that the State and Europe should be able to give more, they hope that the financing plan will evolve further to increase the burden on communities.
On behalf of the Agglomeration agenaise, Jean Dionis recognized the relevance of the project indicating that he proposed Thursday evening to the agglomeration council to approve this financing plan. An important decision for the Moyen Garonne: with its future LGV station at Sainte-Colombe, Agen will be half an hour from Bordeaux and Toulouse. Because if it concerns the entire South-West region, the GPSO project also relates to daily local transport.