Legal request to halt construction

The prosecutor of Annecy asked a judge to stop the A412 highway construction on October 21, which would link Machilly to Thonon-les-Bains in Haute-Savoie. The judge is expected to decide by October 23.

Environmental concerns trigger action

If the request is granted, it would immediately stop deforestation, brush clearing, stump removal, and earthwork on the 16.5 km highway. The project would turn 180 hectares of natural areas, including 56 hectares of wetlands, into artificial land.

Previous court decision rejected

On October 15, the Lyon administrative court of appeal refused to suspend the work after reports from France Nature Environnement (FNE) and about twenty environmental groups raised concerns. However, the judge now appears to have taken their warnings seriously.

Inspections reveal environmental violations

French Office for Biodiversity inspections found several issues with the project. These include failures to protect watercourses, beaver habitats, amphibian-friendly developments, and fish protection measures. These problems were identified despite an environmental authorization issued on August 28.