RN21 in Lot-et-Garonne: “But pass the route outside the houses”, the anger of residents impacted by the new route

“We can't live in limbo like that, you don't realize the psychological impact. Where is the human factor? » Calmly but firmly, this mother speaks her four truths. She lives in Roudé, a place to the north of the town of Foulayronnes, not far from the large telephone pylon which dominates the heights of the town. His house is only a few meters from the current RN21. In several years, if things remain as they are, it could well see a new road arrive under its shutters, with overtaking slots. In other words, a 2×2 lane. In any case, this is what is emerging with the State's choice for the diversion of the RN21 from the hamlet of Artigues.

Waiting for 20 years

However, this was not the purpose of the meeting organized by Dreal (Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing) in the Foulayron association hall at the start of the week. It concerned the “recovery roads”, the portions of bitumen which will be impacted by the new road. Because with this deviation, it is impossible to access the national road directly without going through roundabouts.

As a reminder, the route chosen for the last “slot” of the restructuring of the RN21 between Agen and Villeneuve-sur-Lot plans to create a new road 6 km long, between the Rouge roundabout (which gives access to the N1021) and the Croix-Blanche roundabout, via Galimas. On either side of this road there are overtaking zones, and above all a route which differs from what was proposed a long time ago, when the portion between the Foulayronnes and Camélat activity zone was created.

“Twenty years ago, a declaration of public utility was validated, which was to pass through La Fleyte (further south of Roudé). What has changed since then? », asks a disappointed local resident. Dreal agents use much less restrictive topographical data to create this Artigues deviation. “But pass the route outside the houses! », annoys another resident of Rodé. For others, it was the budgetary question that tipped the scales – this option will nevertheless require no less than 44 million euros. The vast majority of the association room is against the proposed new route. But the room for maneuver seems limited for those who had even formed a collective. A new route has even been proposed, the opponents have so far received no response from the prefect of Lot-et-Garonne. “This will mean throwing a year and a half of work in the trash,” whispers an agent. “We are delighted with the Artigues bypass, but you have not measured the impact for Roudé” proclaim the residents.

What about expropriations?

20 years of procedure, and the end of the tunnel is not yet there. Following the State's decision, additional studies will be carried out before the investigation and the declaration of public utility. “It will not be before 2026,” explains Dreal. So many months of waiting before knowing what sauce the residents of the future RN21 will be eaten with. “We must launch expropriation procedures,” said a participant in the meeting. Except that they cannot be launched… before the declaration of public utility. A company located near this route wonders if it “should continue to invest before someone takes my land”. The feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. Especially since many parameters have not yet been finalized and the prospect of seeing this new road will not be before 2030.