The prefecture of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is being blamed by the Montélovélo association which brings together cyclists from Drôme and Ardéchois. As is often the case in disputes between cyclists and the State, for a security problem between Montélimar and Teil, on the bridge which crosses the CNR canal. The structure is currently undergoing renovation work.
The law not respected?
The Montélovélo association wanted to know what was planned to secure bicycle travel, but only had a succinct answer according to Agnès Debal, the president: ” In June, we asked the regional prefect to send us the study on the possibility of making room for cycling during this bridge redevelopment. Since in fact, the law says that every time there is work on a road, a study must be carried out for gentle travel. And the prefect told us that it was not possible to make room on this bridge, even if it is important, bicycle travel, gentle travel“. Montelovélo affirms that the return of the prefect was limited to this response and that she did not make a study public. Which makes the association say that this investigation was perhaps never carried out . The cyclists therefore appealed to the Grenoble administrative court helped by the FUB, the Federation of Bicycle Users which does not expect a response from the courts for several months. The work, which is scheduled to end in the first quarter, will then be completed.
Only a few kilometers between the two cities, but a dangerous journey
Montélovelo denounces the gap between what the law provides and the reality on the ground. Agnès Debal regrets this situation especially since Montélimar and Teil, five or six or 6 kilometers apart, are very linked: among other things “for health, it can be to go to the cinema, to go see friends. In fact, we all have friends on both sides of the Rhône, it's the same area of life. Not to mention the number of people who go to work on one side and the other. All these movements, really, could be favored by protected routes“. The bridge over the CNR canal, built in 1956, sees 15,000 vehicles per day, including 3,500 heavy goods vehicles.
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