The engines will no longer roar in Villers-sur-Mer.
Certain engines in particular: those of the rally of the flowered coast.
Friday, June 11, the municipal council of this town of 2,700 inhabitants banned fossil fuel competitions on its territory.
“It was very tight,” says Mayor Thierry Granturco.
In the first round of the vote, there was even a tie ”.
The ballot finally changed, placing a prohibited direction on the road of the rally, a local institution created in 1964. “We did not kill any competition.
The race will continue.
Simply, not in Villers ”, would like to clarify the city council.
In the small town, the decision is open to debate. On a bench, two friends have a different opinion on the question. Evelyne evokes "bad news", noting that the rally "brought a lot of people". At his side, Jeannette knows… too well the race: “She passes in front of my house. It makes such a noise. Then it's a big energy expenditure for 48 hours ”. The ecological argument makes people cringe.
Several times a volunteer on the organization, Philippe is annoyed.
This Deauvillais says he is "very sad" to close the passage to a race "which makes noise and which pollutes it is true".
Before going into the comparison: “If we compare the rally, which only takes place once a year, to traffic every weekend in Villers, we will have to explain myself.
If we talk about ecology, I find it hard to understand ”.
By the mayor's own admission, last year the local population rose to 40,000 people.
And the deconfined spring weekends brought in tens of thousands of tourists.
"We are not ecology gagas"
“We cannot prevent people from coming, retorts Thierry Granturco.
On the other hand, in politics, we can act on certain cursors, such as events ”.
And the mayor added: "We are not ecology gagas".
So why this decision with its very green contours?
"We have decided to promote our city for its exceptional natural heritage", asks the elected official.
Cliffs of the Black Cow in the West, classified marshes in the East, a beach of more than two kilometers, Villers indeed has a certain penchant for nature.
“We put the environment first, including for animals.
However, certain species, in particular birds, reproduce here ”.
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The rally, fond of small country roads, tended, during February, to pass through protected areas depending on the city. The race attended Villers-sur-Mer once every two years. The next passage was looming in 2023. It will therefore not take place, even if Thierry Granturco leaves an open door: “If the organizers are able to propose a solution, such as a more urban route, we could reconsider the question. But in the meantime, I will respect the decision of the municipal council ”. A hard blow for rally fans and among them Eric Brunson, record holder for victories in the event and… resident of Villers-sur-Mer. Others disappointed: the practitioners and spectators of jet-ski, also summoned to find another spot than the shore of the town.