The idea made more than one smile during the last Toulon municipal council. But Philippe Leroy (Toulon in common) maintains: it is necessary “to calm down the boulevard de Strasbourg which cuts the city in two”. The opponent therefore suggests making it pedestrian one Saturday per month: “There would be both an ecological interest, with less pollution, but also an interest for businesses. Toulon residents would thus return to the city center.”
The proposition may seem crazy. However, it has already sprouted elsewhere in France. In Nice, for example, where it was discussed for the Promenade des Anglais.
So, to find out the opinion of Toulon residents, we launched a consultation at the suggestion of Philippe Leroy. Nearly 700 of you responded to us. The panel, made up of more than 70% residents of the largest city in the Var, is 61.9% in favor.
But, the least we can say is that the positions and the arguments are very clear-cut.
They are for
According to Laurine, it's simple: “There are far too many cars. We must leave room for soft mobility.”
Another reader sees only positives in it: “More calm, less pollution, an invitation to stroll.”
The ecological aspect of the proposal appeals to many of you: “Toulon is far too polluted. You have to learn to leave your car in the garage otherwise it will suffocate. Pedestrianization is the future.”
The attractiveness of the city center strengthened
The economic argument is also put forward. For Romain, “this would have an extremely positive effect on downtown businesses, which could attract new customers attracted by the experience of pedestrianization of the boulevard.”
Some even claim that it would simply allow them to “rediscover the city center”. “With such an initiative, I think I will come more often to Toulon and its heart of the city, explains Florence, a resident of Valletta. It would be much more pleasant and above all it would allow you to admire the architecture of certain buildings.”
They are against
According to our consultation, 12.9% of people find that the idea is “bad”. The figure even climbs to 25.2% for “very bad”.
“It’s unspeakably stupid, Jacques loses his temper. This would only serve to congest other arteries. In Toulon, we know well, we don't have much choice when it comes to crossing the city.”
Guillaume continues on this register: “More traffic jams elsewhere means more pollution. We would only be shifting the problem.”
Some readers speak of disastrous examples from other cities like Paris or, closer, to La Seyne: “The pedestrianization of the city center desired by the mayor has simply killed small businesses”emphasizes Chantal. “When the boulevard is blocked during demonstrations, even though there are no more cars, no one comes to the city center. We must stop this anti-car primary”says Franck.
Already many pedestrian streets
For Lætitia, “Toulon is already fortunate to have many pedestrian streets. It's very pleasant and it's enough. No need to add too much.”
Mathieu provides another analysis: “If some people are deserting Toulon, it is not because there are too many cars on Boulevard de Strasbourg. It is above all because we cannot park there for free! And also because the competition of shopping centers is too big. It's a false solution to a false problem.”
In any case, the subject gets people talking. It questions our relationship with the car, our ability (or not) to change habits often anchored for years and our relationship with the city.
The number
61,9
This is the percentage of people who responded to our consultation who say they are in favor of pedestrianizing Boulevard de Strasbourg one Saturday per month. 48% of those questioned even find that it is a very good idea to implement.
Olivier Rouard wants to “make Toulon-style Ramblas”
When asked about this idea of monthly pedestrianization of Boulevard de Strasbourg, Olivier Rouard was rather doubtful. The boss of Charlemagne, the largest store on the street, believes that “it would not revolutionize things. » “On a specific event, why not… But, with a frequency of once a month, it seems complicated to me. It takes time for people to get used to it. It’s too punctual to be truly effective,” he says.
A real reflection to carry out
Better to do nothing then? Absolutely not! On the contrary, the bookseller wants to go further. Much further. “We need real reflection on the Boulevard de Strasbourg, which today is nothing other than a six-lane highway,” he proclaims.
He calls for – this is the season – a significant evolution of the path. He even speaks of a much more ambitious project that would benefit the entire city center: “Today, the heart of Toulon is in full swing. A policy has been implemented in this direction. On the boulevard, you must do the same. »
The Toulon entrepreneur doesn't beat around the bush: “For me, it's simple: the solution is the tram! With only one lane of traffic in each direction and widened sidewalks, I think that passers-by would largely find their place on Boulevard de Strasbourg. We would be in a semi-pedestrian configuration. And, at least, the action would be lasting. »
Commercial dynamism
Olivier Rouard's idea would be to transform this “A7 motorway” to “turn it into Toulon-style Ramblas. » The star artery of Barcelona where passers-by and tourists alike enjoy strolling is a benchmark in this area.
“There would then be a commercial boost that would be possible. Boulevard de Strasbourg today lacks attractiveness in terms of shops. However, there is great potential in this area,” he points out.
Elsewhere in Toulon?
For many people interviewed, the artery chosen for pedestrianization is not necessarily suitable. Here are the street or boulevard suggestions that they might prefer.
-Avenue de la République: “This would make a perfect link between the pedestrian city and the port,” comments Isabelle.
-The Frédéric-Mistral coastline: “The Mourillon corniche is a real place to stroll,” emphasizes Mathieu.
-The avenue du XVe corps “in order to bring Pont-du-Las back to life”.
