Tarn. Closed bridge, collapsed building… The future of Rabastens becomes a little clearer

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A few months ago, Rabastensa town in Tarn of less than 6,000 inhabitants, entered a very troubled period. On May 6, 2024, part of its ramparts on the banks of the Tarn collapsed. June 30 was completely a buildingin the heart of the city center which was collapsing from the inside. That of the Caisse d’Epargne. Luckily it was a Sunday and it was deserted. Then, the City announced the closure of its bridge for many months… All leading to an “ordeal” for some residents.

But the troubles were not over for the town. Because since the summer a standoff has been underway to finally begin the demolition and rubble removal site of the Caisse d’Epargne. Note that rue du Pont-De-Pa has been closed since the collapse.

Paralysis

“Rabastens knows to this day an unprecedented crisis. Not only do we have a security perimeter which paralyzes our city, but also a pile of rubble which disfigures our heritage”, complained the mayor, Nicolas Géraud, a few days ago, ahead of a public meeting on the progress of this file.

“However, we were happy that the owner, after the collapse of June 30, started the work on July 26 to be able to remove the danger. Three days later, the labor inspectorate stopped this work because the asbestos removal plan had not been submitted. Since then, the owner has been in dispute with the company he had mandated,” summarized the mayor.

Litigation and serial proceedings

Since the construction site stopped, disputes and procedures have multiplied, as have legal expertises. “Faced with this situation of blocking and after having exhausted all possibilities, the mayor made the decision to make a summons to the Albi judicial court to take responsibility for the work at the expense of the owner,” explains the mayor.

We had to wait for a second hearing, on November 8, to see a ray of light. The court gave the owner 15 days (until November 23) to justify the effective resumption of the work. After this period, the municipality of Rabastens could proceed with complete deconstruction, all costs incurred (project management, deconstruction, consolidation of adjoining buildings) being the responsibility of the owner.

Work in December

“In order not to waste time, the town hall is preparing this transfer of work (choice of a project manager, contacts with qualified companies and design offices, development of a schedule, etc.),” explains the town hall.

The owner having resolved his conflict with the company, the work can resume. This will be during the month of December with “a priori an end of the work in line with the opening of the bridge”. Either end of March 2025.

The traffic in question

The reopening of the bridge will also be an opportunity for the municipality to “think about traffic”. With the aim of reducing the flow of vehicles. “The question of the place of the car in the historic districts of Rabastens is also raised. The population will be consulted,” promises the mayor, who assures that the municipality of Couffouleux, on the other side of the bridge, will also be “part of this reflection”.

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