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95c | ISSUE 9 | APRIL 2012
Aude on high security alert after killings P5
PUBLISHERS OF
NEWS, WHAT’S ON INFO FOR AUDE, GARD, HERAULT, LOZERE, PYRENEES-ORIENTALES
Montpellier’s colourful tramway is complete P3
FOUR PAGES OF WHAT’S ON INFO PAGES 8-11
Mountain hurdle for new rail link
CEDRIC, 17, IS FRANCE’S YOUNGEST PILOT Page 7
THE Corbières mountains are proving a major headache to planners working on the new high-speed train line from Montpellier to Perpignan. The simplest, cheapest solution is to closely skim these hills northeast of Perpignan, but the terrain is too steep for freight trains – a problem because the aim has always been for the line to be used by freight as well as passengers. Another option – following coastal lagoons between Narbonne and Rivesaltes – is more costly, involving two tunnels of 3km each to avoid built-up areas. The issue, plus others like location of new stations, must be solved by the autumn. Public consultations are planned in June and July. A spokeswoman for rail infrastructure body Réseau Ferré de France (RFF), Valérie Durand, said a third route near the hills that can take freight is technically possible – but very difficult, requiring a tunnel more than 8km long. She said: “We are already consulting with mairies and associations,
but we also need to talk to citizens, including about the issue of mixed use [freight and passengers]. “What is certain is that the brief is that the new line must be mixed in the areas with heaviest use – so, from Montpellier to Narbonne. After that a line branches towards Toulouse, so some traffic leaves. There is then the Corbières, where it is hard to pass. Freight trains can’t cope with steep ups and downs. If the line continues with just TGVs, freight trains would leave and continue to Spain on existing lines.” The project is the latest attempt to prolong the LGV Méditérannée, finished in 2001, which links Paris to Nîmes; with the long-term goal of linking Paris to Barcelona in four hours. RFF is building a section from Nîmes to Montpellier from the end of this year, over four years. The Montpellier to Perpignan stage is then hoped to be operational by 2020, carrying trains at 300kph over 150km. Ms Durand said: “Nothing is decided. We are doing studies, presenting results and listening to peo-
ple; but we need to take the major decisions this year.” The Corbière hills problem is not the only one that must be solved. Current plans have the line follow the A9 motorway to either the south or north. Both options present challenges as south of the A9 lies the protected area of La Gardiole, while to the north are many inhabited zones. Another hurdle is the issue of new TGV stations and where they will be located. Debate has arisen over whether to build separate stations for Béziers and Narbonne, or a single station at Nissan, with local train connections. Environmental challenges are posed by the conservation area of Loupian, the vineyards around the Mèze area, the crossing of the Hérault river and the flood zones of Moussan and Caxac.
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