The mobilization resumes around the Snem factory in Montreuil. This Monday morning, around twenty residents gathered in front of this former factory, specializing in the treatment of metals for aeronautics. Closed since 2018 after a citizen mobilization, the factory is accused of having polluted the neighborhood with chromium VI and chlorinated solvents.
While the buildings must be replaced by a building of 36 social housing units, there is no question for local residents that the site will be launched without guarantee of protection. This Monday morning, they therefore wanted to prevent the workers from entering the premises, but despite their gathering at dawn, around 7 a.m., they arrived too late. The workers were already hard at work on the site.
Opponents are demanding in particular that pollution sensors be installed in the vicinity of the site, in particular in the homes of residents, from the demolition phase. And are indignant at the fact that the work has already started. “Now is the time to take readings, before the workers do anything, criticize Cécile and Elie. But as of Tuesday (last), they started clearing. A public meeting was held last Tuesday to inform them of the start of the work, but the barracks had already been installed.
“We all agree that this factory is a wart in the neighborhood and that it must be removed, adds Choukri Yonis, elected opposition member (DVG) who came to support the demonstrators. But the challenge is: we have a very polluted site, how do we do it? We were told about asbestos and lead, but chromium VI is much more explosive. However, I have seen workers working without any protection. »
Sensors will be installed to detect toxic gases
The municipal councilor is also worried about the finances of the Office public de l’habitat montreuillois (OPHM), which pre-empted the land for 1.5 million euros and is directing the depollution of the site. “It has just benefited from a rescue plan, it is already carrying out two major urban renewal projects… How can an HLM office, which has so many challenges to meet, be able to take up the challenge of depollution? she wonders. And if the costs explode, it is the taxes of the Montreuillois who will pay. »
For his part, the president of the OPHM explains that the asbestos removal work will not begin before August 8. “From the weekend, we will install sensors to identify toxic gases, explains Florent Guéguen, also a municipal councilor. We are going to put seven of them, some of them with local residents who want them, as well as in schools. And if we need to put more, we’ll put more. »
To respond to concerns, he also announced that “the concrete slab will be protected to prevent infiltration into the ground”, after the demolition of the buildings. A site monitoring committee, to which residents will be invited, will also be set up.
“We have some studies from the prefecture which show us that the level of pollution would not be high, still traces Florent Guéguen. We have provisioned one million euros for depollution (half of which comes from Ademe). There is a bet on the future. We couldn’t leave this factory as it was. »
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