Allée de la Gare, in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés (Val-de-Marne).
The sun is shining on Tuesday, April 27.
It is impossible to imagine that at the heart of this charming private impasse, a conflict has intensified day by day since the beginning of February.
But you only have to step into that narrow lane at lunchtime to understand it.
After 15 meters, at the foot of chic accommodation, a dozen young delivery men are relaxing, awaiting orders from Uber Eats, one of the leaders in the French food delivery market, which is booming in these times of health crisis.
At the end of the road, a group of angry residents have come together to denounce a situation that will "end badly".
Read alsoDelivery scooters: noise, pollution ... how to contain nuisances in Ile-de-France?
At the origin of the problem: the place.
Ideally located, in the middle of downtown restaurants, the Allée de la Gare has been adopted by delivery men.
“Further on, you can no longer connect,” assures Karim.
Here, it is the zone that we have found which will sound the best.
It's been five or six times that we change places.
At first, we were next to a McDonald's, but the manager fired us because it bothered the customers.
Afterwards, there was an area near a high school, then a parking lot… ”
"I never go quiet here, they look at me like meat"
The inhabitants denounce the “irresponsibility” of the companies and the town hall, which would do nothing to solve the problem. They have just launched a petition, which has collected 63 signatures. Above all, the inhabitants are protesting against "the non-respect of the property and the nuisances caused by the delivery men". “We are in danger and we are afraid,” says an owner, who has been here for thirty years. They urinate, they spit, they throw away their rubbish and they are provoked. Kim, a young woman, agrees. “There's not a single time that I don't get feedback. I no longer come to my mother-in-law's house because I'm scared, in the middle of the day. I never go quiet here, they look at me like meat. "
“They also arrive at full speed by scooter or car,” said another resident.
It is unlivable and dangerous.
"I have small children who used to have fun playing in the driveway, but can't anymore," adds a resident.
There is also the problem of the elderly who are forced to pass in the middle of a group without a mask.
The national police even intervened in mid-February to take away an aggressive delivery man… ”
"Are we going to have to settle our accounts ourselves?"
The delivery men, on the other hand, understand the inhabitants but refute their accusations of bad behavior, to the point of accusing the inhabitants of the same evils.
"Guys waiting downstairs from my house, that could annoy me," admits one of them.
But they drive right past us, they brush against us with their mirrors, they don't care.
"" Our relationship with the inhabitants has deteriorated because some have thrown water bombs and bleach from the window, "says Karim.
Consequence of this dialogue of the deaf: the tension mounts.
"Are we going to have to settle our accounts ourselves?"
a resident gets carried away.
We pay 5,000 to 6,000 euros in property taxes per year, we will end up believing that this is not enough to keep our peace.
"
A few days ago, Uber Eats and the mayor (LR), Sylvain Berrios, reacted in a joint message, sent to delivery people asking them to leave the premises. "Couriers who do not respect the principles of the charter of good conduct are exposed to a drop in income, may no longer be able to take over orders in restaurants after several reports, and may quite simply no longer be able to have an active account, they specify. The town hall is counting on your understanding, insists on the importance of respecting the rules and will not hesitate to take the necessary measures if the circumstances require it. The inhabitants will be received in town hall this Tuesday. With the hope, finally, of a way out, despite fears of reprisals.
