The council of the Tours Nord-Est assembly (CATNE) meets regularly to study current projects or launch new ones. In this collective spirit, the CATNE team wanted to present its thoughts to the residents who came in large numbers to the neighborhood assembly on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Jean-de-la-Fontaine school.
At the heart of the concerns of these residents determined not to “to be presented with a fait accompli” : the traffic calming plan for Saint-Symphorien and more precisely from Paul-Bert to Les Tourettes.
According to Elisabeth Blesbois, member of CATNE: “This meeting follows numerous reflections from residents, the City and the Metropolis concerning the integration of Vélival (structuring cycle network of the Metropolis) in our sector. We detected sufficiently serious critical points that led to alternative proposals. It is a question of functionality, safety for all, animation of local life and access to shops, sports and medical complexes”
Rue du Pas-Notre-Dame integrated into Vélival?
During a previous meeting, Christophe Boulanger, vice-president of the Touraine Mobility Union (SMT) acting as “that interface between the City and the Metropolis”had mentioned the passage of the rue du Pas-Notre-Dame into a cycle street.
“Your work was produced a year ago (1) indicated conflicts at rue du Pas-Notre-Dame. The Metropolis has therefore chosen a secure cycle route from end to end of this street for the Notre-Dame-d'Oé – Saint-Avertin route. »
Counter-proposal via rue du Colombier
The CATNE, pointing out in particular a very accident-prone crossing in the 12% descent of the street, decided to present a counter-proposal. “We are proposing an elaborate plan passing through rue Saint-Barthélémy and rue du Colombier because it seems logical to us to continue towards urban development around Vaucanson, which would allow car traffic to remain the same and keep a little money for other projects. »
Christophe Boulanger mentioned technical constraints: “This axis is difficult to redevelop without passing rue du Colombier in one direction. Colombier is a cycling alternative but not a structuring network, at least not by 2025.”
“We will have to continue the consultation”
To a question from a resident wondering if a study had been done concerning the number of bicycles, he replied that “the Vélival network is designed for the cyclists of tomorrow” and to those who worry about not being able to return home, he says “that this issue will be resolved on a case-by-case basis. Everyone must be able to return home, but we want to make the journey more complex for those who are just passing through the neighborhood”.
Neighborhood deputy Thierry Lecomte invites the audience to vote in favor of one or the other of the proposals, specifying that it is only an advisory opinion. A very large majority of residents are in favor of the CATNE proposal: “Questions remain unanswered, it will be necessary to continue the consultation”he promises.
Next neighborhood meeting in the spring. Website: decidensensemble.tours.fr
(1) A meeting was organized at the end of 2023 at Les Halles which few residents of Tours-nord attended.
