Poitou Charentes villages prepare for LGV Sud Europe Atlantique project

Description:

The tiny village of Clérac in South Saintonge will become a hive of activity in 2010, when work starts on the biggest project of its type in Europe, to build the Tours to Bordeaux stretch of high speed track for the new LGV Sud Europe Atlantique.

The commune which counts 954 residents, will be invaded by a minimum of 250 people who will occupy a 25 hectare site in the south of the commune, where the French railroad (RFF) will set up a logistics base.  The project will last for 5 years, and once completed all but 3 hectares of the occupied land will be handed back to the commune.

Clérac was chosen because of its proximity to an existing freight line, allowing the movement of materials from the local company AGS.  There are hopes that once the project is finished, the freight line might be used for the reinstatement of a TER commuter train linking the commune with Bordeaux.

Whilst the commune of Clérac is content with its role in the project, and the advantages that it will bring, there is discontent further north amongst the communes of North Charente.  Some 16 communes around Ruffec are disappointed at the lack of communication on the new railway, which will pass right through the area.  Since the last contact with the office of Dominique Bussereau in September 2008, there has been no further information forthcoming.

There is a feeling that outside of compensation that will be paid for land acquired by the project, the RFF expects to pay nothing further to the communes concerned.  The local elected officials however have a different opinion, and are seeking compensation similar to that offered as part of large motorway projects, where the communes are paid an annual amount.  Because of the project, much of the land around the railway will be unable to be built on, resulting in a loss of profits for the area.

There are particular concerns in the village of Villognon, which will lose some 120 hectares of farming land, 20% of the total cultivable land available.  The commune will host a further base for the project, and will also receive 9 new bridges that will need to be constructed over the new line.  There are concerns that the commune will have to maintain the bridges for years to come, without any additional funding.  Local elected officials have sent a file to Doinique Bussereau highlighting the issues.

Click the thumbnail opposite to view the map of the new route.