the Department stays the course

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We are still a long way from a first sod that was envisaged 10 years ago; a first phase of work it was said at the time. THE South-West bypass project of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Manche) was, once again, on the agenda of the plenary session of departmental council Why Friday December 13, 2024. “A project that we have been talking about for a long time,” conceded President Jean Morin.

After a phase of consultationthe road project enters a stage which must lead to thedevelopment of a final route. Of the six zones considered, two hold up:

• The SO3 which “allows good service to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin with a limited environmental impact and a cost of work estimated at 70/80 million euros”;
• And the SO5 which “presents a service to the more distant west of Cherbourg but allows the reuse and adaptation” of existing routes for a cost of 55/65 million euros and “a minimal environmental impact compared to others spindles”.

“We are going to continue studies taking into account the perspective of Orano industrial project. » The circumvention aims to facilitate road traffic towards the La Hague site, which will increase, over the next decade, from 6,000 to 16,000 jobs during the construction phase of the new swimming pool, by relieving traffic in Cherbourg, particularly in the area of ​​the SNCF station . “The choice of a variant will be discussed as part of a new consultation phase,” said Axel Fortin Larivière, vice-president in charge of travel.

“An obsolete project”

“This project is a real opera scene, pure TF1,” exclaimed Thierry Letouzé, on behalf of his minority colleagues. We are about to spend €100 million and we are not dreaming. » The left asked for a “postponement of the deliberation”. She is “for a circumvention, resolutely for it, but with a modern approach” which takes climate change into account. She calls for “basic sobriety” and positions herself “against a costly project”. “We want to work on another project,” summarized Dominique Hébert. The project proposed to us today dates from the 1980s; it is obsolete. We want a project for the future. » Emmanuelle Bellée called for “a break” and even a halt to the project.

“I have difficulty following you,” reacted Jean Morin. I won't say that we are going from surprise to surprise, but this project was called for by your predecessors. I hear today that it is no longer suitable even though we opened this file at your request. By going backwards, constantly postponing, we will move towards abandonment. Everything is up for debate. Everything has to be built. The project begins. » According to the opposition, the Region would disengage. “It maintains its funding; the intention is still there,” assured the President of the Department.

“At the request of the mayor of Cherbourg”

Philippe Bas, spokesperson for the majority, returned to theecological aspect : “This project will only be carried out if it respects the Environmental Code; It’s the law! I remind you that we agreed to relaunch this project, before the departmental elections, at the request of the mayor of Cherbourg.” Jacques Coquelin, vice-president of finance, suggested mobilizing the funds envisaged for the opening up of Val-de-Saire: “You will make elected officials happy”.

Isabelle Fontaine echoed the positioning of the mayors of Douve-Divette: “It is important to move forward. Should we wait for a serious accident to react? » Philippe Gosselin denounced “a lack of consistency” on the Cherbourg left.

The report, which provides for continued studies on the SO3 zone “accompanied by SO5” and the SO5 zone alone, was approved by the assembly: 42 for, 9 against and 3 abstentions. The final route, which will confirm the project, will be known in view of a public inquiry planned for the end of 2027 in order to obtain environmental authorizations and a declaration of public utility during 2028.

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