in Gironde, these inhabitants feel cut off from the world

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“We feel like sub-citizens. » In the Rouergue district of La Réole, in Gironde, the future of the bridge, the shuttles made available to get around it, and more generally, the communication of the Department, manager of the building, raise questions and crystallize tensions. Exasperated, a collective of Rouergue residents took shape and a petition was launched on their initiative, collecting more than 800 signatories.

The number of shuttles has not increased

Among the complaints made against the Department: the shuttles made available for local residents to access the city center. “The hours are not suitable”are alarmed by Sébastien Casanova, Emmanuelle Roy and Sylvie.

The first departure from Rouergue takes place at 6:20 a.m. and the last departure at 6:40 p.m., with significant latency between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.which fuels the ire of the residents. “Elderly people for their shopping, do we think about that? », asks Emmanuelle. “Today, I have to cut off my social life, the hours are not suitable for those who work,” adds Sébastien.

The Department denies any inconsistency. According to Frédéric Perrière, deputy general director in charge of ecological transition and development, a return to the number of shuttles of 2023 is not at all on the agenda. “We really want to focus on the most relevant schedules in consultation, there is really no point in running empty shuttles. »

To the great dismay of the collective who would like to have a shuttle every 30 minutes. The Department's primary objective is to open the bridge as often as possible so that local residents can benefit from it.

Usually, Rouergue is a lively neighborhood, this one feels like an apocalyptic neighborhood

What about the fateful 5°C rule? Several Réoles residents point out that the bridge remains closed even when the temperature rises during the day. “We decide to close for the day on the basis of Météo-France forecasts,” explains the Department, which recognizes difficulties in managing the closure of the bridge. » Usually, Rouergue is a lively neighborhood. There, it feels like an apocalyptic neighborhood” also observes Sébastien Casanova. “We must manage to minimize the closure of the bridge, it is a real objective of the Department,” concedes the Department.

The link between the Department and residents weakened

The local authority says it is open to dialogue, and refers to the information meeting organized on October 22.

A real challenge, as the link between the authority and the inhabitants has considerably weakened, a form of distrust has even set in. “We will see depending on the request, the nature of the meeting, but yes, we are always ready to discuss with them about an informal meeting or a more prepared meeting. »

It also refers to the following email address for any request for information: [email protected]and ensures to respond as quickly as possible.

The bridge will not be replaced

Another hot topic at the heart of the anger of the inhabitants of Rouergue, the work schedule. Currently, a study firm has been commissioned, the diagnosis will be refined in the next three months to have preliminary studies in order to to establish a final cost of the work. “The topic for us is how do we replace the cables? » Despite criticism of the dilapidation of the entire building, the option of a simple renovation of the bridge is favored at this stage.

The sooner we can restore traffic on the bridge, the better off we will all be.

And the transparency of the work in all this? In its grievances presented against the management of the Department, the collective of residents wonders about the consequences for neighboring houses at Pont du Rouergue. Here too, Frédéric Perrière brushes aside fears. “This is part of the studies that we must carry out, it is the work of art that we will have to carry out on something which is very heavy. The cable replacement technique must be well established. »

Work should begin in 2026, and for two years maximum. “The sooner we can restore traffic on the bridge, the better off we will all be. » And finally, allow the inhabitants of Rouergue to finally put an end to this “long hell”. It's about time!

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