Thomas Brail, an environmental entrepreneur, said last week that getting strikers to break the A69 motorway was “the beginning of victory.” However, I was waiting to see what was to be agreed at the Friday meeting. Finally, the Government has announced the ratification of the Tolosa Castres motorway project: "We'll take the project to the end."

A dozen people started a hunger strike last September, and three strikes last week, at least until Friday, managed to interrupt the works. That day the final agreement was adopted at the meeting of the local elected representatives. It brought together supporters of the A69, opposition groups, scientists and executive powers.

“A large majority of local elected officials holding legal representation ratifies the law in favor of the highway,” said Clément Beaun, Deputy Minister of Transport. He also points out that after an “in-depth interview” held at the session, the force will remain in the hands of the law and the rule of law.

For his part, the president of the Tarn department council, Christophe Ramond, pointed out that the highway is “essential”: “Families need one or two cars on a daily basis, having a vehicle in our mountain lands is essential to move.”

The project has been the subject of various unsuccessful judicial proceedings. The Government notes that "the rule of law has been respected" at all stages of the procedure: “To date, the Judge has rejected all questions raised against the project, as well as the request for the suspension of works. All suspensive remedies have been taken into account and rejected," the government argued.

Damage to the motorway

Environmental groups have denounced that the A69 motorway will be “absolutely harmful to biodiversity”. Brail has stressed that continuing with the project will involve, among other things, the extraction of centenary pines and bananas.