Cancellation of the A69 Project: Pierre-Fabre Threatens to Favor Other Territories, State Announces Appeal

On February 27, the Toulouse administrative court made an unprecedented decision to annul the order authorizing the construction of the A69 highway, which was supposed to connect Toulouse to Castres. According to the court, the project did not meet any “imperative reason of major public interest” that would justify harming the environment. This ruling triggered strong reactions, including from Pierre-Yves Revol, CEO of Pierre-Fabre Laboratories, the largest employer in the south of Tarn. He threatened to “favor areas with quicker and more secure access” if Castres’ isolation became permanent, indicating that the company’s investment policy might be reviewed accordingly.

An Unprecedented Judicial Decision for the A69 Project

In response to the cancellation, the government announced its intention to appeal, calling the situation “absurd.” Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot condemned the halt of a project that was already two-thirds completed and stated that the government would seek a suspension of the execution of the decision. According to him, this situation raises questions about the management of major infrastructure projects in France, emphasizing that “it is unacceptable” that a project which had received all necessary permits and had already begun construction could be canceled in this way.

The State Mobilizes

The cancellation of this project, which had the support of local elected officials and economic stakeholders, marks a first in France, as no highway project had been canceled for environmental reasons before. For opponents of the project, such as Green MEP Marie Toussaint and lawyer Alice Terrasse, it is seen as an important victory against a project deemed unnecessary and devastating. On its part, the government has assured that it will continue to support the project, which it deems essential for the region’s development, promising measures to simplify procedures and prevent such situations from occurring in the future.