A69 motorway: the public rapporteur recommends that the court order the resumption of work

The public prosecutor is recommending that the Toulouse Administrative Court of Appeal order the resumption of work on the A69, which has been at a standstill since the end of February, Agence France-Presse (AFP) learned on Monday, May 19, from lawyers for those opposed to the motorway, which is to link Toulouse to Castres.

The public prosecutor, whose opinions are generally followed by administrative courts, believes in particular that keeping the construction site at a standstill, as ordered at the end of February by the Toulouse administrative court, "risks causing consequences that are difficult to repair," lawyer Julie Rover told AFP.

On Wednesday, the administrative court will examine an appeal filed by the state aimed at restarting the work and is expected to deliver its decision by the end of the month.

According to Jean Olivier of the Friends of the Earth association, the public prosecutor considers that there is indeed an "overriding reason of public interest" justifying a rapid resumption of work, without waiting for a decision on the substance of the case, which will not be taken before the end of the year.

"We expect the three judges to show discernment and not follow this opinion of the public rapporteur, which for us is not acceptable in terms of environmental law," he told AFP.

In addition to the administrative court proceedings, highway supporters have launched an initiative in Parliament. A so-called "validation" bill, sponsored by senators from Tarn and whose constitutionality is questioned by opponents, was adopted at first reading in the Senate by a large majority on Thursday, May 15. It will be examined in the National Assembly on June 2.