This Seine-Maritime sand quarry angers a collective of local residents

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Since October 2024, trucks loaded start to come out of the sand mining quarryroute du Mont du Gat in Roncherolles-en-Bray (Seine-Maritime).

Against the project, a collective of around fifty local residents was created and points the finger problems et nuisances.

After the letters, time for class action

February 2024, a prefectural decree allowed the establishment of the quarry.

However, to obtain authorization, the operator was given a number of additional measures to respect.

“It is written in the decree that theentrée of the career must be independent from that of the nightclub. This is not the case today,” observes Hervé Dubus, representative of the collective.

Where the entrance should be, there is the nightclub's water reserve in the event of a fire. This would involve moving it.

“After digging, they will have to backfill the land. We wonder what it will be. As well, these will be waste windows, it matters. Because Mr Brocard, the operator, is at the head of a demolition company,” worries the spokesperson for the collective.

With what is generated by the use of the machines and the backfill that will be used, there is a risk of groundwater pollution.

“Its main activity is to destroy buildings. What will it do once the extraction is finished? If he comes to break stones here, it's not going to be the same song, what are his intentions? », asks the resident of the Mont du Gat road, explaining that the collective's concern extends over the long term.

Other measures are included in the decree such asimplantation of 300 linear m of hedgeensureroad conditions winter, signage…

“The hedge is not not planted. It was a preamble measure, which was not respected,” says the representative of the collective.

There are school buses that run here. The road is not suitable for vehicle traffic.

To make itself heard, the collective is present at all municipal councils.

” Of the traffic signs were put last week, because we are putting pressure on the municipal council. But there is none that indicates the company or the presence of a quarry,” estimates the spokesperson for the collective.

At the exit of the quarry, a sign indicates that turning left is prohibited for 19-tonne machines. They must directly join the D919 at 600 m, so as not to pass near homes.

Also displayed is the decree of February 19.

After contacting DREAL twice, residents of the Mont du Gat collective filed a class action with the tribunal.

A lack of dialogue

« The earthworks of the career began in August 2024. In May, these are archaeological excavations imposed by INRAP which have been carried out. We started marketing the sand in October, it was from that moment that the trucks began to circulate,” explains Mickaël Brocard, quarry manager. According to him, the latter is having difficulty getting started.

I can tell you that we are far from 15 to 30 trucks per day.

Accused by the collective, Mickaël Brocard refutes these accusations.

“The collective questions many details. I notice that they have a lack of understanding of the terms. I received a visit from the DREAL because I was criticized for not having planted a hedge. But it’s not in August that we plant hedges,” retorts the operator.

He claims to have planted more than 50% of the requested length to date, no more because of climatic conditions.

As for the embankment which will be used, Mickaël Brocard explains that it will be earth from his earthworks.

“Today waste and rubble are recycled for use in the construction of road networks. And you have to know that everything that is buried is lost,” he explains.

It's not easy to satisfy everyone, I'm open to discussion and suggestions.

“Lots of unfavorable opinions”

“Two years ago, Mr. Brocard contacted the municipality for his career project, the municipal council was not opposed to it. We thought it was never going to change. We proceeded in order and we were criticized for not having consulted local residents,” laments Michel Gibeaux, mayor of Roncherolles-en-Bray.

“The project was already advanced. There was a public inquiryeveryone was invited to give their opinion. And there were a lot ofunfavorable reviews», recalls the town councilor.

This project brings us nothing, except trouble.

“The investigating commissioner sent these results to DREAL. We were invited to the Rouen prefecture to vote. There were about fifteen of us. In total there were only four of us who voted. unfavorably », specifies the mayor.

For him, sand mining is fine. But what's stuck is the backfill.

“It could bring unknown materials and local residents think that it could pollute the groundwater. I understand them. However, there is a deposit on the land. He paid €50,000 in case there was a breach. He must restore it,” insists the mayor.

“We are open to everyone at town hall. All environmental services have been consulted, it is prefectwho decided. We are here to create the link between those administered and the prefecture,” concludes Michel Gibeaux.

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