Work on new controversial motorway in southern France 鈥榟as begun鈥�
That is the claim of France鈥檚 transport minister Cl茅ment Beaune, contradicting his comments last month that he would reexamine the project
The Transport Minister appeared more strident in his statements about the controversial motorway today compared to last week
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Work to build a controversial new motorway in southern France is under way, the French government has claimed.
Thousands of protesters marched last month against the construction of the A69 between Toulouse and Castres.
Proponents of the 53km-long road say it is a question of economic survival for the region. But critics say it will destroy the environment.
On Tuesday (May 2), France鈥檚 transport minister, Cl茅ment Beaune, : 鈥淸Work] has begun鈥nd is now the subject of contractual obligations. Work on the project will begin. It is therefore no longer a project but the start of its construction.
鈥淒oes that mean that things cannot improve, that we can no longer debate? I don鈥檛 believe so, especially on the environmental aspects鈥where we can] do better,鈥� Mr Beaune said.
Read more: Controversial new A69 motorway in southern France: What do you think?
The minister appeared less certain after protests over the motorway on the weekend of April 22-23.
At the time - and in apparent contradiction of his - Mr Beaune said the government the A69 project.
鈥淲e will take another look at a certain number of projects and will take brave and daring decisions in the next few months,鈥� he said.
鈥淪ome projects will doubtlessly be suspended or stopped,鈥� he added.
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