It's been a year since the Domingos storm hit the coast of Charente-Maritime. A fairly common phenomenon compared to the meteorological monsters of 1999 Lothar and Martin or Xynthia in 2010. Powerful enough, however, to cause damage, particularly in sensitive and already weakened areas. The island of Aix, in this respect, constitutes a good example. And Patrick Denaud, its mayor, would have done without it. “I’m worried about all the ramparts,” he admits.
Because if a masonry part of the ancient and historical protections of the island has been particularly affected, the elected official knows that it is a whole which is in danger in the short, medium or long term. Especially since the administrative situation of the island constitutes a curious puzzle. “We are not the owners of the ramparts,” he recalls, torn between incomprehension and fatalism. Indeed, it is the Association of Friends of the Island of Aix (SAIA) which has the distinct honor of holding the deed of ownership of the ramparts and many places on the island. A particularity of which he has already said the difficulties that this causes for him and his teams when it is necessary to manage an asset as important as fragile (Sudouest.fr of September 25, 2024).
A matter of responsiveness
“A small hole in the rampart very quickly becomes a breach, all it takes is a simple tide, so when it comes to a storm…” For him, the solution is first and foremost a matter of reactivity and consistency in the management of buildings. “It requires ongoing maintenance to deal from the first moments with a small incident which will quickly become a big problem. And I can’t do much,” he laments. “It is the SAIA that bears the technical and financial burden of this maintenance, and I am not sure that the association can cope on its own. »
A few months ago, the Society of Friends of Aix benefited from aid from the Department and the Urban Community to cover the heavy budget for repairing the breach. How long will this be possible?
