A classification ofAuto Plus released last week to blow the plug. According to the magazine, which relied on data from the TomTom GPS, Rennes was the most congested city in France in September. Once the report had been drawn up, and shared by many motorists, criticism then fell on the town hall, accused in turn of promoting these traffic jams or of carrying out an anti-car policy. Not denying the difficulties, Mayor Nathalie Appéré quickly responded to her detractors and assumed her political choices in favor of soft modes. “We will not solve the problem by creating new road infrastructure,” she said at the beginning of the week.
If the message was not well received, the elected socialist again drove the point home Thursday by urging Rennes and Rennes to change their habits and leave their cars in the garage. “For the environment, the living environment, trade, safety and health, and more broadly for our future and that of our children, the time has come for action”, writes the mayor, praising the policy of transport set up on the territory.
The city center too hassle for some craftsmen
In the economic world, these words have not failed to react. For several months, traders, craftsmen and other liberal professions have been worried about the space reserved for the car in the city, which is shrinking like the skin of grief. With consequences for the economic health of their businesses. “Some craftsmen no longer even want to come to work in the city center, it has become so complicated to move around and park”, warns Philippe Plantin, president of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Ille-et-Vilaine .
“We used to talk about parking problems but now we have an access problem, customers can no longer access the city center which nevertheless remains the leading commercial hub in Brittany”, underlines Emmanuel Thaunier, president of the CCI d’Ille. -and-Vilaine.
“Think also of those who live outside the city center”
In particular, they point to the elimination of the Vilaine car park, the saturation of relay car parks or the reduction in the number of lanes to promote cycling. “All bicycles are not the answer for everyone, we must also think of those who live outside the city center and who need their car to access it”, indicates Hervé Kermarrec, president of Medef Bretagne. “If things get even more complicated, the city will lose its attractiveness. We are therefore sounding the alarm before it is too late, ”adds Nicolas Duforeau, president of the Union des entreprises 35.
In addition to the developments, they also denounce the method used by the city and criticize the lack of consultation. Hoping to be heard by elected officials, they should make their proposals known in the coming weeks.