Normandy TGV plan in danger
Problems over funding from rail network owners could see Paris project shunted aside
PLANS for the high-speed Paris-Normandy rail line could be shelved due to funding problems.
Questions over funding were highlighted by Olivier Guerin, president of the committee organising the public consultation on the proposal.
He said in Rouen that the participation of rail network owners Réseau Ferré de France (RFF) remained unsure. With the cost of the line estimated between e10 billion and e14bn the RFF contribution was vital before they could determine the share to be financed by the state and local councils.
This vagueness had led to uncertainty over the ability of the government to fund the line during a financial crisis and in light of competition for funding from other projects.
Already the plan has been cut back from a full TGV link to a partial link which will still increase capacity on the line.
The high-speed link is seen by politicians and business people as vital to strengthen the "attractiveness" of Normandy - but environmentalists say it will only benefit from a minority "executives and businessmen".
If the plans go ahead, the journey time between Paris and Rouen would fall to about 45 minutes, and 1hr15 to Le Havre and Caen.
The RFF now has three months (until June 21) to say whether or not the project can continue. If so, it will take at least 10 years to conduct studies, provide the financial contribution and carry out the work.
