LGV Bordeaux - Spain is a proposed high-speed line linking Bordeaux to Dax, with the aim of strengthening the Madrid Spain bound line from Paris France. The project is set up as a necessity due to the truck haulage that doubles every seven years on the Spain-Bayonne-Bordeaux highway (~10%/-year). It is projected as a link between the LGV Sud Europe Atlantique north and the Basque Y (Vitoria-Gasteiz-Bilbao/Saint-Sébastien link) to the south. It would be designed as a mixed TGV line/freight. |
| Name of conflict: | LGV Bordeaux - Spain. Northern Basque Country, France |
| Country: | France |
| State or province: | Aquitaine |
| Location of conflict: | Hendaye, Bayonne |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Infrastructure and Built Environment |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Transport infrastructure networks (roads, railways, hydroways, canals and pipelines) |
| Specific commodities: | Tourism services Transportation Services |
| Project details | Route not decided yet. Estimations of new railways between 950 and 2000 km. |
| Level of Investment: | 27,012,000,000 |
| Type of population | Semi-urban |
| Start of the conflict: | 2006 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | French Rail Network (RFF) from France - public Company |
| Relevant government actors: | French Government. |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Collectif des Associations pour la Défense de lEnvironnement (CADE). |
| Intensity | LOW (some local organising) |
| Reaction stage | PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Local ejos Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Trade unions |
| Forms of mobilization: | Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Development of a network/collective action Media based activism/alternative media Official complaint letters and petitions Referendum other local consultations Street protest/marches |
| Environmental Impacts | Potential: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Fires, Genetic contamination, Global warming, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Noise pollution, Soil contamination, Soil erosion, Oil spills, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover |
| Health Impacts | Potential: Accidents |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Potential: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Loss of livelihood, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
| Project Status | Proposed (exploration phase) |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Distraction manoeuvre: prioritising another high speed railway project. |
| Development of alternatives: | Suggested proposals: - Reopen the closed railway of Canfranc. - Increase boat transport of good considering the facilities in Bilbao, St. Nazare and Dunkirk. - Try to concentrate production processes in one area. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Not Sure |
| Briefly explain: | Currently, there is no clear outcome. However, the delay in the project could be interpreted as a small first success even if the reason behind could be mainly the lack of funds. |
| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Links to general newspaper articles, blogs or other websites |
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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| Contributor: | Alfred Burballa Noria |
| Last update | 24/06/2014 |