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Neighborhood meetings have become a regular feature since the start of the new mandate in 2022. In some parts of the island, at least. In Flamands, the appointments set by the neighborhood referents are always honored by part of the population. Some of the faithful attend almost every meeting, while other residents frequently join in the discussions. On Friday September 26, around a dozen of them sat down under the carbet in the neighborhood park, at the invitation of their referents, Alexandra Lédée and Nicolas Rioual. They were not alone in welcoming the residents, as local councillors Mélissa Lake and Fabrice Querrard were also on hand.
On the agenda: beach erosion and the Agence territorial de l'environnement's plans to remedy the situation. ATE director Sébastien Gréaux joined the meeting to explain the agency's plans. He spoke of "severe wind erosion", as in Saline and Colombier. A local resident explained: "I've replanted some trees and things are better now. If everyone takes the time to do the same, we'll be fine. "Sébastien Gréaux agrees, but adds a few details. The ATE already has its agenda.
Planting and participation
The aim is to widen the dune by planting grapevines and other native species. "Starting from the same base as at Saline, but avoiding making the same mistakes," stresses the ATE director. "It will be longer and more suited to the beach," he assures us. The ATE also intends to get the public involved. We'll be adding extra protection for beachfront homes," says Sébastien Gréaux. A more intimate plant curtain. We'll make Flamands a more suitable site for turtles to lay their eggs. There will be planting sessions with schools, associations and local residents. "The project will be carried out in several stages.
Eden Gréaux, a representative of the civil security reserve, then took the floor to launch a discussion on cyclonic and tsunami risks. This led to a number of exchanges between meeting participants. In particular, the issue of warning sirens, which are little perceived in Flamands. Eden Gréaux assures us that a dozen sirens will be installed all over the island.
"A racket from hell
Mélissa Lake then turned to one of the points participants had been waiting for: work in progress or to come. Work on the route de Merlette is due to start in February 2026, while a high-performance telephone relay antenna is to be installed in the neighborhood. In addition, a speed bump will be installed on the road near the Sainte-Hélène grocery store. With these clarifications in hand, discussions can move on to other concerns.
For example, the soccer team that regularly comes to play at the end of the day on the local park pitch. "They come every week and make a hell of a racket," remarks one resident. Would you like to talk to them? "I've already been there several times," assures the lady. They went on to discuss a number of recurring issues: the anarchic dumping of garbage cans by uneducated residents, parking spaces, and a suggestion to install public toilets in the park. A teenager present at the meeting explained, "When we come with friends, some of them come from Vitet or Saint-Jean, so it's annoying when we want to go to the toilet. "
The general manager of the Cheval Blanc hotel, Christelle Hilpron, is present. As she does at every neighborhood meeting. She talks about the facilities her establishment has put in place for employee vehicles, accommodation, participation in Halloween, Christmas and neighborhood clean-ups.
The atmosphere is friendly, and discussions continue even after the meeting. The mark of a concerned and committed population.
