“On this line, there are more stations closed than open”: they are fighting for the train to be a priority in Aveyron

Fearghal Mc Laughlin and Geoffrey Lonjon, mobilized for better train service in Aveyron. Midi Free – Laura Vaillant

While the Aguessac station has not been served for many years, Fearghal Mc Laughlin, citizen activist for rail, and the ecologists of Aveyron (EELV) affirm their opinion: the train must come back and better serve Aveyron.

For 30 years the train has passed through Aguessac station without stopping there. Since 1990, the stop has been removed. And since 2017, the railway line linking Rodez to Millau – passing through Aguessac – is closed. At issue: the rehabilitation of the line as part of the Fine Territorial Lines program.

At the beginning of 2022, work to clear the line between Rodez and Sévérac-d’Aveyron began. It was the start of a project which announced the reopening of the line for 2026. But since then, the date has continued to be pushed back.

Today, the region's website notifies "the reopening of the line with six stops by 2030". The stations concerned will be: "Rodez, Bertholène, Laissac, Sévérac-le-Château, Aguessac, Millau".  "If the schedule is kept, it will be 13 years of closure", remarks Fearghal Mc Laughlin, citizen committed to the rehabilitation and the development of railway lines. And "from 2030 horizons this is not understandable", for the Aveyron representative of  rsquo;EELV, Geoffrey Lonjon.

A stop in Aguessac before 2030?

So, on May 22, Fearghal Mc Laughlin sent an email to elected officials and state representatives to alert them to the need to recreate a stop at Aguessac station, and this before the end of the work planned for 2030. A strategic point which could "benefit three neighboring municipalities: Verrières, Rivière-sur-Tarn and La Cresse".

"On this line, there are more closed stations than open stations.&amp ;nbsp;It’really is the railroad desert." An absence which, according to Fearghal Mc Laughlin, a train regular, "cuts us from our prefecture and many cities".

Rail put aside by politicians?

Today, the train passes Aguessac but does not stop there. A incomprehension for the wagon regular who, on multiple occasions, has contacted elected officials. “I am told that it is a good idea, that we must continue, but that is where it stops. Nothing has been done”, he regrets.

On the environmental side, “we have the impression of political voluntarism around the car”, believes Geoffrey Lonjon. “We live in a Park but the first thing we do is use the car and pollute". For Fearghal Mc Laughlin, this reopening would have many advantages, including “the decarbonization of our travel in the Tarn Valley”.

Action paths

So, the one who campaigns for the reopening of the Aguessac station proposes various action paths: “A first local consultation between elected officials, sub-prefect, prefect, PNRGC, Tourist Office. Requests for progress of work on schedule. Then, regular communications with travelers and residents to finally know where we are on this project".

Various proposals to which Fearghal Mc Laughlin expects "goodwill" from elected officials. Courses of action that he considers feasible, if not understandable, given the environmental emergency and the need for all territories to invest in the ecological transition, and quickly.