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Toulouse Appeals Court Reinstates A69 Environmental Permits, Lets Work Proceed

Judges restored the project's environmental permits after finding an overriding public interest with no viable alternative.

Overview

  • The Cour administrative d'appel de Toulouse overturned the February 27 ruling that annulled the A69 permits, recognizing a raison impérative d'intérêt public majeur and following the rapporteur public's advice.
  • Opponents, led by La Voie est Libre, said they will file a cassation appeal to the Conseil d'État, a step that does not automatically suspend construction.
  • Prefectural orders froze activity on zones built outside authorized site boundaries, with a criminal hearing set for January 12 after prosecutors sought suspension on those areas.
  • Atosca and the transport minister welcomed the decision; the builder reports roughly two‑thirds of the works completed and still targets an opening around October 2026.
  • In a related case, the Toulouse administrative tribunal rejected challenges to the LGV BordeauxToulouse environmental authorization, allowing SNCF Réseau to continue associated works.