“squirrels” mobilize against the construction site

Around twenty people are present this Monday January 6, 2025 in the morning, in the Intermarché parking lot in Soorts-Hossegor. Everyone came together as an important phase of the work of the very high voltage line (THT) which should enable the RTE operator to carry out an electrical interconnection between France and Spain.

Five activists perched in the trees

The opposition to this project, which has taken shape for three years with the collective « Stop THT 40 »continues to alert the general public to the devastating effects of the work which started in Landes in November 2023 on sites in Seignosse, Hossegor and Capbreton.

In this unequal struggle against the French electric transport giant, they were joined by “squirrels”, these environmental activists who take over the trees to denounce their destruction. Five of them, some of whom claim to be part of the “ Extinction Rebellion » have been based since January 4 on the project route, in the middle of the Landes forest, in the town of Soorts-Hossegor.

Protect biodiversity

“We are here for an indefinite period,” says Kiwi. The young woman, who admits to having slept well last night despite the rough weather, insists: “We are launching a call for mobilization, we would like there to be as many squirrels as possible to build a small village of cabins which will make it possible to really an obstacle to machines.”

These machines are not far away. If we haven't heard them yet, they will arrive soon since since Monday, part of the RD 652 which runs along the Pédebert zone has been closed to traffic for a period of several weeks, a sign of an increase in work.

The activists perched on a wooden platform that they themselves erected on a hiking trail evoke in turn a desire to “protect biodiversity”, but also “theinjustice » of this project, “the public health » and also “the democracy“. (According to opponents, 96% of the population voted against this project and its route during the two public inquiries).

According to them, the ecological transition, although constantly mentioned by the political class, still remains insufficient, or even non-existent. They advocate in particular a desire to relocalize food and to see this famous ecological transition finally firmly underway.

It is a combination of reasons that brings us here. Many major projects are imposed on us by the State or Europe and we sometimes find conflicts of interest. Let's say that in this type of project, it is not the public good that dominates. Citizens must have this feeling of vigilance and action, because it is difficult to be able to count on public authorities to protect us.

400 km between ocean and land

Helped by local members of Extinction Rebellion and the “Stop THT 40” collective, they received supplies this Monday morning, including food, as well as equipment to increase comfort, even though the weather was not forecast. not good this week. The determination of these activists nevertheless remains intact.

This very high voltage (THT) line known as the “Bay of Biscay” extends over nearly 400 km and is buried both in the ground, but also in the ocean. It connects the Cubnezais post (near Bordeaux) to the Gatika post (near Bilbao). According to RTE, this line would double the electricity exchange capacities between France and Spain “to bring them to 5,000 MW, enough to power 5 million homes”.

Request for a moratorium from François Bayrou

On December 25, opponents asked the new Prime Minister, François Bayrou, for an immediate moratorium concerning the route of the project. They urge the mayor of Pau to rely on the report of the National Nature Protection Council of August 22, 2022 which had issued an unfavorable opinion.

As a reminder, on August 14, 2024, the Bayonne court suspended the construction site after finding that it did not respect the protection of marine biodiversity. He resumed some time later. Other legal steps are underway, say opponents. They are still calling for a route that would pass “along the highway and the already existing rail infrastructure”.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.