FRANCE: PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE IN CHAMONIX TO PROTEST AGAINST THE RE-OPENING OF THE MONT BLANC TUNNEL TO HEAVY GOODS TRAFFIC

Record ID: 640772

  • Title: FRANCE: PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE IN CHAMONIX TO PROTEST AGAINST THE RE-OPENING OF THE MONT BLANC TUNNEL TO HEAVY GOODS TRAFFIC
  • Date: 25th June 2002
  • Summary: (W4) CHAMONIX, HAUTE SAVOIE, FRANCE (FILE - MARCH 26, 1999) (REUTERS) SLV FIRE ENGINES DRIVING INTO FRENCH SIDE OF THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE
  • Embargoed: 10th July 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: CHAMONIX, HAUTE SAVOIE REGION, FRANCE / MONT BLANC TUNNEL ENTRANCE, ITALY
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVAED1P3173SGQP5YW05CIKQY9C7
  • Story Text: The Mont Blanc tunnel between France and Italy was reopened on Tuesday to all heavy goods traffic except trucks carrying hazardous cargo, prompting protests in the Frenche alpine village of Chamonix by residents and environmentalists.
    Approximately 2.000 people demonstrated in Chamonix on Tuesday (25 June) to protest against the re-opening of the Mont Blanc tunnel between France and Italy to heavy goods traffic except trucks carrying hazardous cargo, The mayor of the alpine village, Michel Charlet, was among the various local politicians attending the rally.
    "We are here to pass the message to heavy trucks, and try to make politicians understand, be it French, Italian, European, that the future lies in a form of transport other than road transport", he told Reuters Television.
    Environmentalists like Greenpeace and the Green Party Secretary General Noel Mamere also joined the demonstration.
    "The accord agreed between Italy and France, which some considered balance, is a weight on the backs of those who abide by it. And I do not want us to abide by anything, but to lead", Noel Mamere told Reuters Television and explained that alternative ways of transport must be found under European policy.
    The tunnel, closed to all traffic for three years after a fatal fire in 1999, has been gradually reopened since March, beginning with cars. Trucks with up to four axles and weighing less than 19 tonnes were able to use the tunnel in May.
    During the night, a small group of protesters blocked the first heavy freight truck trying to use the tunnel from entering and angrily set fire to its contents when they found a television crew aboard the largely-empty Belgian truck. It was a Belgian lorry that caused the blaze in March, 1999, that killed 39 people in the tunnel beneath western Europe's highest mountain.
    On Tuesday, traffic through the tunnel was almost non-existent, and no trucks were seen coming in or out of the tunnel.
    Italy trucks 60 per cent of its exports through Alpine tunnels. Paris and Rome had been locked in months of wrangling about when to reopen the tunnel to freight.
    Environmentalists have opposed the reopening, saying exhaust fumes from trucks pollute the beautiful and delicate Alpine region. Local residents oppose allowing heavy freight to use the link, arguing it is too dangerous.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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