Yes, the Bordeaux – Toulouse LGV must see the light of day

On 7 May 2024, the first development work began on the new high-speed line Bordeaux – Toulouse in the north of the Occitan capital. They are just the beginning of a long-term project that is part of the GSO (Great South-West Railway project). This should make it possible, by 2032, to connect Toulouse to Paris in 3 hours compared to about 4.5 hours today, but also to create a high-speed link with Spain.

Essential project

Certainly, in the same way as Lyon-Turin, this project is imperfect. It includes developing the area over 200 kilometers between Bordeaux and Toulouse, which is the cause of protest from environmental groups. Unlike traditional lines, high speed requires a linear path, thus following the landscape less. Therefore, the impact that the construction of such a railway line will have on the natural environment cannot be hidden.

But come on, it’s not the A69! The opposition of environmentalists to this project shows great hypocrisy and a lack of long-term foresight. Currently, the travel time between Toulouse and Paris is around 4 hours 30 minutes by train. Add to this that the pink city is the cradle of French aviation, and you get a disastrous model shift in favor of domestic flights. In short, the current transport offer does not provide ecological and fast solutions so that the inhabitants of the 4th largest urban area in France can get to Paris.

In addition to saving time on current journey times (1 hour for Toulouse – Bordeaux compared to 2 hours today), the construction of the LGV could make it possible to relieve congestion on the classic line, and make it possible to a division of railways in freight transport. Regarding the section that connects Bordeaux to Spain, Alain Rousset, president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, suggested that it could improve rail freight, while thousands of trucks come up from the border every day.

We must remember that the train is a way out of the environmental crisis. Where transport represents 30% of national emissions, 85% of commercial trains run on carbon-free electricity. In addition, we can count on good French expertise in railway matters. From next year, the new generation of TGV (TGV M) will be put into service, and the development has enabled new ecological benefits compared to previous generations.

This project comes at the right time at a time when the SNCF announces that it has never carried so many passengers. Adapted infrastructure and equipment is then required to cope with the growing number of users. From this point of view, TGVs are at the forefront because they present the best occupancy and profitability levels in the company. They are a necessary source of revenue to start upgrading regional lines at a normal pace.

Even if we should not look only at high speed, we must admit that it is a model that has largely proven itself. The opening of the last section of the Paris – Bordeaux line in 2017 reduced the journey time to just over 2 hours, giving passengers no reason to turn to the plane.

Obviously, the development of rail transport needs to be done at all levels, and it must not repeat the mistakes that led to the closure of many small daily lines in the past. The GPSO is a sensible project, but it needs to be part of a wider ambition. The urgency is not to fight against the development of the railway, but to campaign for its return in force. This must include the renationalisation of the SNCF, and the end of opening up to competition. Only this arrangement guarantees a reliable and affordable service to users.