The new collective “the way is free” is mobilizing this Monday, December 13 against the Toulouse-Castres motorway project. While the future A69 has been formalized by Jean Castex with the designation of a surprise dealer (NGE), the opponents do not disarm.

It is a brand new collective “The way is free” opposed to the Toulouse-Castres motorway which is emerging today. Several actions will be launched, this Monday, December 13, to “denounced this destructive project and to defend a responsible solution for the development and securing of the RN 126”, according to their press release.

The future A69 was only a project for a long time. But on September 25, 2021, Prime Minister Jean-Castex gave a boost by unveiling his surprise dealer: the NGE group.

Announcements which crystallized the oppositions and gave birth to a new collective which wants to be heard today on several fronts at 5.45 p.m.

The NGE company must present its action plan on Monday, December 13 to the town hall of Verfeil. The activists of “The way is free” will be there for denounced “this irresponsible and unjustified project”, always according to the collective. At the same time, the Tarn deputy of the presidential majority Jean Terlier will present to the mayors concerned the motorway project in the amphitheater of the IUT Paul Sabatier de Castres.

Also at 5.45 p.m., the Castres-Mazamet community council will vote on its financial contribution to the project in Mazamet (Palais des Congrès). The Tarn department and the Occitanie Region will participate in the funding.

The motorway file between Castres-Toulouse appeared 40 years ago. Since then, several groups have opposed it including “RN 126” named after the national road which rests the two cities, or the PACT (Pas d’Autoroute Castres-Toulouse). This movement was born at the end of September on the occasion of the “Festivad” which bore the name “The way is free”, festival of opponents to the motorway in Montcabrier.

This new collective composed exclusively of people – some of whom are also members of other collectives – was formed on November 27, 2021 in Cuq-Toulza in the Tarn. “I have hresided in Verfeil and Ito arrange on Puylaurens. I know the area well. I immediately joined, assures Philippe Gorra. We have 6 months before the motorway contract is signed. Most people are there opposites when we talk to them. We must continue to inform the population and above all convince the public authorities. “

The collective denounces the absurdity of this project: “It’s a white elephant, proclaims Alain Hébrard, also a member of the peasant confederation. We are going to build a highway for 4 to 7,000 vehicles a day while the profitability is 20,000! The municipalities concerned will be cut in 2. We will take more than 500 hectares of agricultural land among the most fertile to make a concrete pour. useless! We must absolutely abandon this project from another age and justified by nothing “.

The members are also upset against this project which provides for the integration of several detours paid by the taxpayer and which are integrated into the highway, and therefore chargeable. According to them, this is unfair and this would lead to the return of vehicles in the city center of Soual and Puylaurens (Tarn) to avoid tolls.

Philippe Gorra and the other militant members to make improvements to the current RN 126. “We are not opposed to developments. But ct is time to think about more eco-responsible solutions. There are many problems at the entrances to Castres and Toulouse, but the motorway will not solve anything. It is a beautiful place, very hilly and there is no question that the landscape is marred by an unnecessary highway. “

The announcement on September 25, 2021 by Jean Castex of the chosen concessionaire did not reassure opponents. Why was this choice of NGE (New Generations of Entrepreneurs) little known when Vinci and Eiffage were candidates? Did they see the difficult profitability of the future motorway coming?

The French public works group, founded in 2002, will have to build the 54km motorway between Toulouse and Castres. This project estimated at 480 M € to establish to create “1000 local jobs” according to the dealer.

In the region, he is known to have made the deviations of Soual and Puylaurens which are therefore integrated into the motorway project. NGE is also engaged in the dismantling of the bridge founded at Mirepoix-sur-Tarn. The group manages very few motorways in France with a presence all the same in Normandy.

The work to start next year, after the signing of the contract expected in the next six months. The commissioning would take place in 2025 but the mobilization of opponents could change the situation.