the tenants of La Chaussée will have to leave their homes

It is certainly a hard blow for the residents of La Chausséece subdivision of 19 houses near the city center of Bricquebec (Manche).

In the evening of this Thursday January 16, 2025within the walls of the town hall, their social landlord told them that they must all have left their accommodation In six months. “We didn’t experience it very well,” testifies Alexandra, a 42-year-old resident who was present.

I understand the case law and we know that it can only happen again. I lost 90% of my furniture. But all our memories are in these walls. This is where my daughter took her first steps. And it’s not just a residence, we have created very strong links between neighbors.

Repeated floods

What is likely to “happen again” are floods. 2017, 2020, 2024… The residence, built on the banks of the Aizy, has regularly with your feet in the water.

At the beginning of October, when the Kirk depression passed, she was invited again, with mudin 12 houses, making big damage. “When the firefighters entered my house at the time of recedingremembers Alexandra, they had noted 25 cm of water. So imagine in the middle of a flood…”

At the beginning of December, Bricquebec-en-Cotentin was one of the municipalities in La Manche recognized as being in a state of natural disaster after this event.

Security, studies and actions

The Cherbourg townsthe social landlord, had to resolve: “It’s a support for tenant rehousing so that this does not happen again, to guarantee security and to allow studies and actions to be carried out in conjunction with the various partners. »

The decision was made at the previous board meeting. “She seems radical, more in not taken with joyassures an administrator. It is for the security populations, and in particular because this housing estate accommodates elderly and vulnerable people. »

Alexandra confirms: “Of the 19 accommodations, only 5 had been open to the public. Among my neighbors, for example, there is a visually impaired person with her severely disabled son. So what, they have to start all over again at 30 km? And their medical follow-ups? How to find an equivalent for them? And for the elderly, how to redo all the procedures? And the moving costs? »

It’s not just a story of security and floods, we are all affected by these situations, there are post-traumatic shocks, people who can no longer sleep.

“The nerves are falling”

This situation does not delight the mayor of Bricquebec. “It’s serious for Bricquebec. The subdivision is private but it is a bit brutalregrets Denis Lefer. This week, Les Cités launched a warning crybut I do not approve of this situation.”

According to the elected official, several households never returned after the last flood in October, others have already been relocated while the case of others is uncertain. “I don’t want to blame anyone,” he adds, “but things have to change. You have to stay human and then it’s normal for your nerves to die down.”

In the days to come, a “field” meeting is planned with the mayor and representatives of the State and the Cotentin Urban Community. “For me,” he continues, “the blockage of the Aizy is at the level of rue Saint-Roch, when it passes under the track. I need to be with them to explain certain things. But if works must be done, who will pay? »

This is also a point that Alexandra notes: “There are too many players involved: the landlord, the municipalities, the Department, the Region, the State… And everyone passes the buck. No one will ever agree on what to do. But I don’t think this land should have been built on. It was too humid. The elders told us, before, it was a field that looked like a swimming pool. »

Since Kirk’s visit, Alexandra and her granddaughter have never returned to live there. “We never had confirmation that we were safe in this house. Since then, we have been with my parents, explains the mother. However, I know that I am lucky because I found accommodation. But if I went to the meeting, it was for my neighbors. To make sure they’ll be safe. We do not exclude band together to defend themselves. But where to start? »

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