Why Thionville could soon become a giant agglomeration of 160,000 inhabitants

L’Will the Thionville agglomeration soon have 160,000 inhabitants? and go from 13 to 23 municipalities? The two agglomeration communities of Thionville Portes de France and Val de Fensch announced on Saturday December 11, 2021 their intention to merge by 2026 to become one.

The objective for the president of the agglomeration of Thionville Pierre Cuny and his counterpart Michel Liebgott is to weigh against Luxembourg in strong economic growth but also Metz which has more and more cross-border workers.

Transport and economy in the sights

For the two agglomerations, the stakes are high. The Luxembourg push which is attracting many workers from Lorraine must be able to take full advantage of the north of the Moselle department. However, it is sometimes difficult for Luxembourg to come to an understanding with its direct neighbors.

“Our two agglomeration communities actually represent only one territory, one urban unit. The issues and challenges of the northern Moselle territory are numerous and require strong and united responses: mobility, economic development, cross-border, health, sustainable development with the management of water, waste, energy, etc. ”, explains Pierre Cuny , mayor various right of Thionville.

“We will be stronger to influence the Department, the Region, the State, in the cross-border dialogue with Luxembourg, on the major issues that concern us”, wants to believe the socialist Michel Liebgott.

A major ongoing project is already illustrating the merger of the two agglomerations: Citézen, which consists of the development of 32 kilometers of high-level bus lines by 2026. One is to link Hayange (Val de Fensch) and Basse -Ham (Thionville Porte de France) and another Yutz and Elange (agglo de Thionville).

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Obstacles to be expected by 2026

But for the two agglomerations which have many daily skills for the inhabitants (transport, waste economy, swimming pools, water, early childhood, housing, health…), the hardest part remains to be done.

It will be necessary to convince the mayors of other municipalities and to have the project adopted and then to obtain validation by the State, represented by the prefect. The two elected officials give themselves until 2026 to achieve this, the date of the next municipal elections.

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