Debate on the LGV Poitiers-Limoges project in Bussiere Poitevine

There seems to be an increasing surge of opposition to the LGV (Ligne Grand Vitesse) project from local people and politicians alike, and you can listen to the opposing views by clicking the attached link, which gives you the opportunity to take in the whole 50 minute programme that was broadcast last week on the local radio station.  If nothing else, it's good for your French language learning...!

France Bleu Limousin

Set against the obvious economic benefits of a link to Paris in around 2 hours, the opponents seem to be focussing on the following arguments:

• The 100+ km line will only reduce the travel time between Poitiers and Limoges by around 15 minutes
• The line will not be commercially viable
• There is no money for regions to pay for the project
• The project serves none of the people for whom there will be most impact, especially in the rural areas
• The route of the line will effectively cut in half areas of natural beauty such as the Monts de Blond
• The project offers nothing for Creuse, but the residents will be part funding it
• The new line will have only one track, and will not do anything to alleviate freight traffic or improve local TER services
• It goes against the 'Grenelle' of the environment
• The amount of time the TGV will spend speeding-up and slowing-down over such a short distance means it will only operate at top speed for a short period of time
• Many residents in the region prefer a return to the now defunct POLT project, linking Paris-Orleans-Limoges-Toulouse, which was much cheaper to implement and would benefit more people, and involved the electrification and upgrade of mostly existing tracks.

I suspect this project, if realised, will affect the lives of a number of expats in the area.  Does anyone have a view on this???
 
Posted by: Richard Stewart on 11 November 2009