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This Monday will see the enforcement of the prefectural decision to reduce the speed limit between Cagnes-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent on the A8.
Prefect Leclerc explained that this decision stems from the refusal of the concession company Escota to implement “dynamic regulation” systems for traffic, which would help smooth traffic flow according to the real-time and actual traffic conditions. At best, they are unwilling to bear the cost, estimated at 3 million euros.
This situation has already generated a lot of ink and noise following the reactions of car and motorcycle drivers.
Of course, one might wonder why choose a “stop & go” circulation over a smoother one, even if it takes 44 seconds longer to cover the 4 kilometers of the section in question.
Since the good Dr. Freud is no longer here to help us understand, what better way than to toss the hat even higher to take advantage in terms of political propaganda? Isn’t populism the dish of the day? Ask and you shall be served!
“I strongly denounce this situation holding the residents of the French Riviera hostage, who have no choice but to take this highway and are treated as cash cows. A toll highway at 90 km/h is unique in France, in Europe; it’s unacceptable!” thundered Charles-Ange Ginésy, President of the Departmental Council, echoing the anger of the “vroom-vroomists.”
Furthermore, he went even further, demanding the free passage of the Antibes-Saint-Isidore route, thus reiterating a key point of Deputy Eric Ciotti.
However, while anything is possible, for a concessionaire to offer free access… The State can do it, but a concessionaire?
That said, the problem remains in its entirety. How to find a balanced solution, beyond the capitalist greed of Escota and the populism of local officials?
One option could be to issue an annual sticker at a flat rate to residents of the department who are forced to use the A8 daily or often for short trips, due to lack of alternatives.
An avenue to explore with a pragmatic approach, far from easy populist one-upmanship.
