Following recent signatures in the Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire regions (see our articles of November 17 and 20), the Hauts-de-France regional council adopted at its plenary session thison November 23 the memorandum of understanding to integrate a 2023-2027 mobility component into the State-Region Plan Contract (CPER) signed last January for the period 2021-2027. "Following on from the 2020-2022 mobility rider to the 2015-2020 CPER, the State and the region are committing to a memorandum of understanding to pursue and strengthen the shared ambition ofaccelerate the decarbonization of mobility and the change in use of transport modes, for both people and goods", states a joint press release from the prefect and the region.

The State and the region are each committing the same amount, i.e. 693 million euros. The 2023-2027 Mobility Plan includes projects for the various modes of transport, involving partnerships between the State, the region and, where applicable, the other local authorities that are signatories to the CPER, as well as the operators: the five départements, the Amiens Métropole agglomeration community and the Lille European Metropolis, the Dunkirk Grand Port Maritime, Voies Navigables de France (VNF), SNCF Réseau and SNCF Gares & Connexions, states the press release.

Main focus: rail

The protocol covers five priority areas. Firstly, rail development, for which the region is investing 494.5 million euros and the State 355.6 million euros. This part of the project will enable us to develop the core network by dealing with the Creil hub and improving links between Lille and the Sambre Avesnois region," explains the press release. It will also enable us to continue our program to regenerate the region's fine service lines, make stations more accessible and study the Lille rail hub's metropolitan regional express service.In addition, "for the first time," he stresses, "a rail freight component has been clearly identified, and safeguarding freight capillaries and branch terminals is a new feature. It therefore plans to undertake work in favor of rail freight, particularly for the port of Calais."

River transport is another major focus, as the region is particularly concerned by the creation of the Seine-Escaut wide-gauge network, of which the future Seine-Nord Europe canal (CSNE) is the main link. The local authority will invest 66.4 million euros in this section to develop the outlets of the CSNE, while the French government is committed to contracting the sum of 77.8 million euros to be borne by VNF.

Development of the national road network

Development of the national road network is another priority. The region is committed to contracting the sum of 122.7 million euros for the road section, and the State 152.6 million euros. The 2x2 lane upgrading of the RN2, the region's vital trunk road, appears to be a key project under this heading, mobilizing 261 million euros of funding from the region and the French government.from the region and the State, in line with the commitments made in the Pacte Sambre Avesnois Thiérache(Outgoing link, new window).

On the port side, the French government has pledged 97.5 million euros to build a new container terminal and improve rail links to Dunkirk. Last but not least, cycling has not been forgotten. The funding priorities of the 2023-2027 CPER include the development of itineraries included in the national or regional bicycle plan, with the aim of improving the quality of life of cyclists.loroutes, with the aim of ensuring the continuity of these routes and improving their quality of service and comfort. The State and the region are each committing 10 million euros over the duration of the CPER.

Source: www.banquedesterritoires.fr