"July 3 will be a milestone day, it is an important development. It is the city of tomorrow that we are preparing, "announced Jean-François Fountaine, the mayor of La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime), at a press briefing held Monday, June 5. The first magistrate presented the "heart of the city appeased" project, the first measures of which will be effective at the beginning of the summer.
Among the major announcements to remember, the already existing pedestrian perimeter will be greatly extended. The entire commercial area around the market, up to rue Alcide-d'Orbigny, is included in this "peaceful zone". An additional 2,000 linear metres dedicated to pedestrians.
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The sector will be closed by terminals but will remain accessible to rights holders, whose list is long: residents, delivery people, people with reduced mobility, nursing staff, home help services, etc. "All of them will have a permanent badge. But temporary authorizations will be issued by making calls on terminals, for example for craftsmen, for a person who goes to a medical consultation. The overall idea is to say that the car in the city is not over! But if we can do without it, it's better, "said the elected official.
New car park with 1,200 spaces
Another news that is likely to animate the debate, the extension of the zoning of paid parking – 2,000 spaces created – with an increase in rates. In the orange zone, for example, the 2 hours will increase from 4 to 5 €. "Rates have not changed since 2016 and La Rochelle remains among the cheapest cities on the Atlantic coast," argued Jean-François Fountaine, recalling in passing that any user with a blue disc has the right to park on a delivery space after 11 am, for a period of 20 minutes. These additional revenues for the municipality will be used to "invest money in particular in the creation of bike paths," promised the mayor.
Another major novelty is the creation of the Salines car park in place of the former Parc des expositions, with a capacity of 1,200 spaces. Located near the center, it will also be used during major events such as the Francofolies or the marathon. At least until the creation of the new hospital, planned "within a year and a half".
Another 500-space park and ride will also be operational on July 3, this time at the entrance to La Rochelle, Avenue Simone-Weil. A bus line will be diverted to allow motorists access to the heart of the city. An additional 11 electric buses are also promised for this autumn. Despite a defiance of part of the opposition, the municipal council of June 5 deliberated in favor of this project.
