Controversial A69 motorway in doubt as court assesses environmental impact
A new call for cancellation of the environmental approval could halt the project
Proponents say the new motorway would improve links between Toulouse and Castres, but critics say it will be environmentally devastating
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The controversial A69 motorway project from Toulouse to Castres in the south of France may be in doubt, as a court is considering whether to cancel its environmental approval.
The public rapporteur (national judge appointed to present reports to court) is calling for the total cancellation of the environmental authorisations granted for the motorway, as well as for the A680 road between Castelmaurou and Verfeil, reports France Bleu Occitanie.
“There is no imperative reason of major interest justifying the exemption for protected species,” it states.
Now, the Toulouse Administrative Court is due to rule on the matter at 09:00 on Monday, November 25. Historically, the recommendations of the public rapporteur are often adopted in court.
From failure to hope?
However, so far, other appeals lodged by opponents to the project - including local residents and environmental campaigners - have failed.
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Demonstrations and protests have been held regularly over the past few years, but activists have so far not managed to halt the project.
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Yet, the associations are now hopeful.
Environmental group La Voie est Libre recently posted on its Facebook page: “The courts are about to rule in our favour.” However, the group’s lawyer, Alice Terrasse, said: "We'll see on Monday in detail what the administrative judge decides, how determined they are and whether they have any doubts.
The inter-prefectoral environmental authorisation was issued in March 2023, by order of the prefect of Haute-Garonne for the A680, and the prefects of Haute-Garonne and Tarn for the A69.
‘Legal and compliant’
In its defence, director of the motorway’s management company, Atosca, Martial Gerlinger, said that “the environmental authorisation is legal and perfectly compliant”.
Atosca states that already, more than €300 million of the €450 million planned budget for the project has been spent, with the entire route of the motorway having been cleared, almost half of the 53 km between Castres and Verfeil having been dug up, and 70% of the 200 bridges already built.
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The next major step is the installation of two asphalt mixing plants, one at Villeneuve-le-Lavaur, and another at Puylaurens. Tonnes of stone are currently being delivered to the sites, which are due to begin operations in March or April 2025.
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Overall, the road is set to be ready by the end of next summer, with entry into full-time service scheduled for December 2025.
