You now have to get around the barriers and security tapes. A security perimeter was installed Tuesday evening at the foot of two adjoining buildings in the historic center of Toulouse: 18, rue des Puits-clos and 20, place Salengro, from which all the residents, occupying eight apartments in all, were evacuated urgently Tuesday evening at the request of the town hall. “There is a crack in a party wall which has already been under surveillance for some time. Witnesses had been placed and we were warned Tuesday evening of abnormal swelling. Our role was to ensure the safety of residents,” explains Claire Nison, the municipal councilor in charge of the fight against unsanitary housing. Two stores located on the ground floor – a drugstore and a chocolate shop – are also affected and remained closed this Thursday.
According to the experts commissioned by the municipality, the two buildings must now be completely emptied to “lighten the floors” and allow work on the weakened common wall.
The town hall’s mission ends there, the buildings being private. It is up to the owners to determine responsibilities between themselves, to carry out the work and to be responsible for rehousing the tenants during the construction period.