“A more peaceful and less polluted life” or “big whatever”, “liberticide” … The route of the north tram electrifies our Internet users

The future Strasbourg north tram has been the subject of debate for almost 20 years. After a final public consultation of three and a half months, the Eurometropolis unveiled the choice of the chosen route a week ago. A route which should be approved on December 17 during its council but which will be “still discussed on this occasion” underlines the president Pia Imbs. So satisfied? Asked, Internet users of 20 minutes reacted very strongly and at length, often in a very substantiated manner, further proof that the subject remains sensitive and divisive. Because he is of age. “It is a choice for the future which anticipates future needs”, had also welcomed Jeanne Barseghian, mayor of Strasbourg, the day of the announcement of the chosen route.

A choice for the future, certainly. Knowing which one is another thing to read the contributions of Internet users. Because part of the future tram line will pass according to this arbitration through the avenue des Vosges. A central road axis, difficult to circumvent, bordered by one-way streets or in forbidden and cramped directions. Since the route was announced, an online petition from residents for a “peaceful Neustadt” demands that it be abandoned in favor of a passage on the neighboring quays. A petition which already brings together nearly 1,200 signatures.

A long list of grievances

Contributions from readers of 20 minutes naturally underline “the benefits of public transport on such a structuring axis for the entire Eurometropolis network”, which would make it possible to “finally get rid of cars”, “to make the lives of residents more peaceful and less polluted ”and“ less dangerous ”. But the majority are Internet users who testify to their incomprehension, their concerns or even their anger. “Incoherent”, “of the great nonsense”, “totally aberrant”, “liberticide”, “unacceptable”, “dogmatic choice”, “punitive ecology” … The list is very long. And it is of course the Strasbourg portion of the tram, avenue des Vosges, which electrifies the discussions. Even if the section of the line rue du Général de Gaulle in Schiltigheim worries by its narrowness, or quite simply because the tram will not serve the center of Schiltigheim or even the surrounding municipalities where we would sometimes prefer a development and strengthening of the bus network, particularly at a high level of service.

Florence, a resident of the avenue des Vosges, assures us that she cannot do without her vehicle to go to work. If she “chose to live” in this district, it is for “the proximity of the station, being able to walk in Strasbourg, accessibility to the motorway (…) and fears” of having to move if the owning a vehicle becomes incompatible with residing there. “Even if public transport has many virtues, it cannot completely replace the car,” explains Daniel, a resident of the Place de Haguenau. As an artisan producer, I use the car to deliver my customers. To look for merchandise in storage rooms, I use avenue des Vosges on a daily basis. The tram is going to hurt me and many others because it will not meet our needs. “

In the line of sight also of Internet users, the consultation led by the Eurometropolis, the result of which has not yet been presented to the inhabitants or the participation which is already judged “too weak” to be representative. Or even “loaded in advance”. An assessment which must “first be presented during the Eurometropolis council, explains its vice president in charge of mobility, Alain Jund, who specifies that this requires a detailed analysis:” There is the point of view of the people who live next door, the associations, the financial framework, and what this brings to the entire network. “

“The specificity of the district”

Another fear (or certainty), the elimination of parking spaces, already a “headache” in the neighborhood. “I don’t want to live in a museum. I want to be able to live, not to pick up my vehicle in a silo 2 km from my home, ”explains Abraham. Social inequalities too. “None of my neighbors and myself can afford parking and our car is essential to us,” explains Léa. This is to forget the specificity of the district where large families look for large volumes and need to be able to drop off children in front of their homes. Drive them to extracurricular activities, run errands… ”“ This will not reduce the number of vehicles, predicts Bensimon, because the users are outside workers or parents who cannot always cycle and stroll in the streets. “And” this does not only concern the inhabitants of the avenue des Vosges, contrary to what we are told, explains Adrien. A whole part of the city will be damaged, even Les Contades. There is no comprehensive traffic plan. We will lose our peace of mind, there will be more pollution, more dangers. »So many grievances which presage a next stormy Eurometropolis council.

source site