In southwestern France, thousands of people demonstrated against the A69 highway project between Toulouse and Castres. The demonstration was peaceful and festive, but it was under heavy police surveillance after a similar protest in Sainte-Soline a month ago ended in violent clashes and serious injuries.
The environmental associations that organized the demonstration called for an immediate halt to the work, arguing that agricultural land and biodiversity would be lost and that the highway is anachronistic in the era of the fight against climate change. Environmentalist MPs have also criticized the highway project. The private concessionaire of the A69, Atosca, considers the project to be exemplary for the environment and employment.
According to Atosca’s general manager, the expected impact on agricultural land has been reduced from 380 to 300 hectares, and the construction of the highway would reduce travel time by about 20 minutes. The French Ministry of Transport has indicated that seven highway projects, including the A69, are under review due to current environmental challenges. However, work has already begun, and a contract has been signed between the state and the concessionaire.