Par Manon Reinhardt
Published on Oct 10, 23 at 6:37 p.m. See my news Follow Nice News Fabrice has been a groomer on Boulevard Gambetta, in Nice, since 1999. He gives his opinion on the new developments. (©Mann Reinhardt / news Nice)
In this district of the city center, a few steps from the Promenade des Anglais, life is calm. And for good reason, the southern portion of Boulevard Gambetta in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes), which was previously overrun by motorists, has been completely reclassified.
More cars, cycle paths and greenery, the municipality’s objective was toimprove quality of life residents on this axis which was intended to be very noisy.
Official inauguration this Wednesday
This Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the new Gambetta Boulevard will be officially inaugurated by the mayor, Christian Estrosi. After more than a year and a half of work, local residents can now enjoy their new environmentfrom the Promenade des Anglais to Avenue Thiers.
In the center, two bus lanes and one cycle path on the right side in the upward direction. Also, Place Franklin was redeveloped and saw many trees bloom.
The final works are underway on Place Franklin, in Nice, before full delivery. (©Manon Reinhardt / news Nice)
A revegetation which is part of an ecological transition policy claimed by the municipality for several years.
A “success”, but almost no trash cans
“The requalification of the boulevard is a great success, the sound relief is considerable, the birdsong has taken precedence over the horns,” reacts Patrice, a lifelong resident. For this local resident, the promise was kept.
It is a boulevard where it becomes pleasant to have a coffee or a drink. It’s also very good that some shops, which had been empty for years, have found buyers.
PatriceInhabitant
The only downside according to him is the lack of trash cans: ” An aberration “. In fact, as we have been able to see, they are few on this part of the boulevard. “The cleanliness department says we have to make people responsible. »
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Same observation for Jacqueline, who knows Boulevard Gambetta well. As soon as his opinion on the redevelopment is asked, the response is quick. “There is no trash can, It is not possible ! I walk my dog here a lot and I can’t even throw away the bags. »
On Boulevard Gambetta, in Nice, only buses and bicycles are circulating with the creation of a cycle path. (©Manon Reinhardt / news Nice)
“I lost a lot of customers”
But for the rest, the Nice woman assures us: ” It is very beautiful “. On the merchant side, attendance seems to be below expectations.
“I worked much better before. The fact that it is closed to cars makes it very quiet, there is nobody. It’s teeming with people in Nice, except here,” said Maurizio, interviewed in his shop.
It was established as an ice cream parlor 26 years ago. “Before, people stopped by car. Now it’s too complicated. You have to go around and park. I lost a lot of customers. »
During the summer, a lot of accommodation is rented to tourists, so that creates traffic, but in winter… Then when it rains, there is no traffic. I always say that those who like peace and quiet should go and live in the countryside. A city that is too quiet is anti-commercial.
Maurizio GaetaPatron of Sins of Gluttony
With these major redevelopments, one of the goals pursued was to revitalize commercial activity.
The arrival of the BRT in mid-2024
Like him, Fabrice Denpech works on this portion of Boulevard Gambetta, at the corner of Rue Caffarelli. He runs a grooming salon for dogs and cats.
“It is the only artery that connects the north to the south so obviously, there is less traffic but also less noise,” he describes.
The developments planned on the northern part of the boulevard
The city will now have to devote itself to the redevelopment of the northern part of this immense boulevard. The start of construction on this portion was initially planned between mid-2023 and the end of 2024.
After public consultation, it was agreed to maintain traffic for cars and buses, to eliminate parking on the sidewalk (except for deliveries), to create a secure cycle path (72% of local residents said they were in favour). ), widen sidewalks to provide space for terraces and reinforce greenery.
Maintaining automobile use north of Gambetta will allow the circulation of a high level of service bus (BHNS) on this route.
If some customers failed him because they were unable to park in front of the store, he does not consider his losses to be that great. “Yes, I lost some customers but it’s not huge. The regulars still come, even if they tell me it’s more difficult to access. »
The total cost of the entire requalification was estimated at 30 million euros, of which 8 million were invested in the cycle path. From now on, Patrice is “impatiently” awaiting the implementation of the high level of service bus (BHNS), scheduled for June 2024.
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2023-10-11 01:15:17
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