Thousands Rally to Support Resumption of Halted A69 Highway Project

The controversial Toulouse-Castres highway was paused after a court annulled its environmental approval, prompting a strong pushback from local supporters and officials.

The A69 highway project, linking Toulouse and Castres, was halted on February 27 by a court ruling that annulled its environmental authorization due to the presence of protected species.
Several thousand supporters, including local residents, business leaders, and elected officials, gathered in Castres on March 8 to demand the project's resumption.
Proponents argue the highway is vital for the economic development and connectivity of the Tarn region, with 70% of the construction already completed.
The French government has announced plans to appeal the court's decision and request a suspension of the ruling to allow work to continue during legal proceedings.
Opposition to the project from environmental groups remains strong, citing ecological concerns and questioning the project's necessity.