French court orders compliance at highway site

A French court ordered the compliance of certain works at the A412 highway construction site in Haute-Savoie on October 27, after environmental concerns were raised by activists who claim the project violates national and European regulations.

Prosecutor requested suspension of construction

The decision by the Judge of Liberties and Detention (JLD) of the judicial court of Annecy followed a request from the Annecy prosecutor to suspend the construction site on October 21, citing alleged violations of environmental regulations reported by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB).

Highway aims to ease traffic between France and Switzerland

The 16.5-kilometer highway is intended to ease traffic between Thonon-les-Bains and the Geneva conurbation, a route frequently used by workers living in France but working in Switzerland.

Environmental permit signed in August

The environmental permit for the project was signed on August 28 by the prefect of Haute-Savoie, and construction began four days later. The concessionaire, Amedea, a subsidiary of Eiffage, has deforested and cleared 85% of the planned 180 hectares, equivalent to 252 football fields.

Court orders compliance with environmental requirements

The JLD ordered Amedea to "carry out the measures necessary for compliance" with several "environmental requirements," under a penalty of 20,000 euros per calendar day of delay. The court noted violations including the protection of beavers, the rescue of fish fauna, and anti-amphibian intrusion devices.

Environmental group criticizes delayed action

France Nature Environnement (FNE), which had filed a complaint with the prosecutor, expressed regret that the decision came late, noting that amphibian populations (newts, frogs) had already suffered from the works carried out at full speed. However, FNE acknowledged that the decision requires Amedea to finally comply with the regulations.

Public opposition to the highway project

Nearly 1,000 people had demonstrated in Machilly (Haute-Savoie) against the highway project at the end of September.