The dispute could serve as a textbook case on inequalities between communities of municipalities. For several months, it has pitted the municipalities of Truyes and Cormery against each other, where major work requiring a diversion was carried out between June and August 2024.
The first belongs to the Touraine Vallée de l'Indre community, the second to Loches Sud Touraine. A bridge separates the two municipalities, but only Cormery traders can claim the compensation commission set up and financed by the municipality and the intermunicipality.
“Because of a bridge and a sign, we have the right to nothing”
A situation which loathes Stéphane de Colbert, the mayor of Truyes. He denounces “scandalous attitude” of Loches Sud Touraine, with whom, until then, he had maintained a relationship of trust. “It is obvious that this work has impacted the traders of Truyes, especially at the R943 roundabout. – starting point of the deviation –. I am thinking in particular of the driving school, the tobacco bar, the grocery store or the wine cellar. They live thanks to the passage and have suffered too. »
“As much, if it is only in Cormery, confirms Coralie Cousin, wine merchant and manager of Vin'Coeur. We didn't see our customers all summer and some never came back. Because of a bridge and a sign, we are not allowed anything. » With a loss of turnover “around 15%” over the two months, she expected to receive at least “a helping hand”.
Work planned “very late”
Alerted by the traders, Stéphane de Colbert requested compensation on several occasions through letters. “The work in Cormery, which was necessary, was planned very late (end of March) and above all very Lochoise information, but hardly involving Truyes and the possible consequences concerning our commune”we can read in his letter of June 19, addressed to Marc Angenault, the vice-president of Loches Sud Touraine, responsible for economic development and human resources.
In response, the latter recalls “that trade competence falls under the action of the communities of municipalities and for which each intervenes within its territorial perimeter”. Before inviting Stéphane de Colbert to get closer to Touraine Vallée de l'Indre, who judged this argument “not admissible”July 12. “It is up to Loches Sud Touraine to manage the impacts of its decisions and provide the necessary compensation. »
The tone of the letters hardened over the months, before an official end of refusal, on October 21. A decision confirmed by Julien Bonsens, the economic development manager at Loches Sud Touraine whom we contacted. For his part, Stéphane de Colbert is already considering possible recourse, “I have no intention of stopping there at all”.
“Not as catastrophic as expected”
For the record, a compensation commission was created in June 2024 with a budget of €50,000. Seventeen businesses in Cormery and one in Tauxigny are eligible. They are located along the D943 road, but also in the village. “The sum will not be used in its entirety, because the situation was not as catastrophic as expected,” says Julien Bonsens, responsible for economic development at Loches Sud Touraine. The traders had until the end of October to submit a file and a commission will rule in November for payment “as quickly as possible”. To be eligible, they must be able to demonstrate a loss of at least 15% of their turnover compared to the previous two years. “Five traders even saw their figures increase,” assures the agent.
