A public consultation took place yesterday at Acropolis. The people of Nice were present. While everyone acknowledges the necessity of this project, few agree on the choice of routes.
The consultation to develop a high-speed rail line will last 4 years and be carried out by various committees. But yesterday, a public meeting was held at Acropolis, attracting around a hundred people. Among them were citizens attending personally, as well as municipal councillors and members of associations. Jean-Michel Cherrier, head of the LGV PACA mission, and Fabien Pastour, project manager for the 06 area, were present to respond to the public’s questions and suggestions.
The objectives of the project
The Mediterranean Arc route – southern metropolises – has already been selected over the Côte d’Azur route as it will serve more people. Four different scenarios are now being considered (see diagrams below). They have been developed based on objectives such as a Nice-Paris connection in 4 hours and the improvement of the existing network. The goal is to reach 7 regional trains per hour between Marseille and Toulon and 9 per hour between Cannes and Nice by 2040. Essentially, a RER 06. It will be possible to travel from Marseille to Nice in 1 hour by TGV. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion, as even minor incidents between Eze and Nice disrupt the line all the way to Marseille. Another issue to address is that the Mandelieu-Vintimille line is the most frequented and disrupted. There is also a desire to capture 30% of air traffic from the Nice airport. Scenario 1 is closest to city centers. Scenario 2 is the fastest. Scenario 3 is the most economical, and Scenario 4 is the most interconnected.
The interventions
Jean Icart, a municipal councillor, didn’t hesitate to speak: “It’s urgent to carry this project out. We must start from the East, not the West, because Marseille is already served.” Emmanuelle Gaziello, another municipal councillor, followed: “With plans to improve the region, there will be even more crowding. It’s urgent to act; we’re heading towards an explosion of air traffic in Nice.” Frédéric personally recalls: “As early as 1984, a general TGV plan was established, and Nice-Paris was a priority. We’ve lost time; I told a young woman earlier that she would be a grandmother by the time the line is built.” Jean-Michel Cherrier then retorts, “In 2023, part of the network will be operational; we won’t have to wait until 2040 to see improvements.” Lydia Schenardi from the FN also intervened: “I demand a precise understanding of what this will cost and who will pay because, to me, local governments mean taxpayers, and we don’t want tax increases.” A member of the association for the promotion of public transport questions the expropriations, and it’s not the only time the issue is raised. But the RFF (French Rail Network) representatives skirt the question. Another recurring comment last night: the possibility of doubling all current lines. Jean-Michel Cherrier responds that it is absolutely unfeasible for the high-speed rail, as you can’t double everything. Fabien Bénard from the Democratic Movement questions the connection to Italy, which is rarely mentioned. He is told in half-words that it is not a priority.
