Hit by a car while crossing a pedestrian crossing in the town of Saint-Gilles (Manche), Friday October 4, 2024, a 74-year-old man died from his injuries. In this town located at the exit of Saint-Lô on the road to Coutances, parents of students expressed their anger on Monday October 14, 2024. The already long-standing debate on safety and traffic has been relaunched.
See also: VIDEO: Saint-Gilles diversion: the Vertha association went to meet the residents
Parents want answers
“We’re fed up, declares around twenty exasperated parents who believe that safety rules are not respected in front of the Rainettes school. For years, nothing has happened and no concrete response has been implemented whether by the Department, the Agglomeration or the municipality which seems outdated. Will more deaths be needed for solutions to be found? »
A traffic light, a speed bump, a zone 30?
Many parents regret the abandonment of the assigned diversion project “to environmentalists. It’s too easy to say that it would have cost too much.” By demonstrating, they are demanding the establishment of a traffic light, a 30 zone or speed bumps. “Studies are enough, they continue. Something must be done. And don’t let anyone tell us about the traffic jams that would create. They are already there. »
Mayor Jean-Luc Lerouxel who says “very affectedunderstands the requests and impatience of parents while reminding that the diversion project will not come back on the table. » For him, the problem “does not come from the speed but from the number of vehicles – 14,000 per day – in relation to the size of the town”. And the presence of a municipal agent in the morning cannot solve everything.
First responses at the end of October
At the end of October, a cabinet will meet with elected officials to make development proposals. “It will be a first draft but we hope that it provides some ideas to make crossing the town safer.” Also under study, an intermediate solution would consist of specific arrangements to secure access to the school.
Sébastien BRÊTEAU
with our local correspondent.
