Paris-Nice TGV row over route choice

A NEW TGV train line for the south-east will not go to Marseilles or Toulon according to the president of the Alpes-Maritimes council.

Council President Eric Ciotti (UMP) has declared that the government has opted for the northern route for the LGV-Paca – the extension of the high-speed rail network into the south east.

The aim of this project is to link Marseilles and Nice with lines suitable for high-speed travel. At present trains take almost as long to get from Marseilles to Nice as from Paris to Marseilles.

Both sides have put forward strong cases for a northern line – going straight through Aix-en-Provence and across to the Alpes-Maritimes – or a southern one going down past Marseilles and Toulon.

According to the RFF – the body in charge of the tracks – neither is overwhelmingly better. The northern route would cause less environmental impact, be faster and three billion euros cheaper. However, this route would serve fewer people and most of the local councillors in Aix and Marseille oppose it.

In both cases planners must overcome the problem of running a high-speed line through the Var, which is covered by large swathes of national parks, and the Alpes-Maritimes which consists of mountains and a highly urbanised coastline.

“If this decision is confirmed it will put a stop to development of Marseille,” said Jean-Noël Guérini (Socialist), president of the Bouches-du-Rhône council which would withdraw from helping finance the line if the northern route is picked.

The Transport Ministry refused to comment, saying there would be a meeting with the local councillors before the end of February.

■ The news comes as the SNCF ups ticket prices by an average 3.5%. This is more than last year’s annual increase of 2%. Consumer group UFC-Que Choisir has criticised the increase, suggesting the SNCF is trying to squirrel away extra money before the rail market is opened to competition next year.

Photo:TGVs run between Marseilles and Nice but not on high speed lines