Description:

TGV Paris-Normandie to link Caen, Cherbourg and Le Havre

The Secretary of State for Transport, Dominique Bussereau, has agreed that the TGV Normandie will link Paris to Cherbourg and Caen in addition to the original proposal to go just to Rouen and Le Havre. A public debate is to be launched to discuss the objectives of the project - such as the towns served and the journey times - in the autumn of 2011.

In order to bring the new line into service as soon as possible, the project will be included in the preliminary draft of the transport infrastructure plans (SNIT). Priority is to be given to the common section of the line between Mantes and La Défense. A steering committee is to be set up and this will include the Presidents of the three regions concerned and the president of Réseau Ferré de France.

The route of the TGV line will also be included in the development plans for Ile de France, the Seine valley and Upper and Lower Normandy. In particular, efforts will be made to create durable economic activities while protecting the existing natural spaces and agricultural activities.

When it enters service, the new line will provide journey times from Paris to Le Havre of 1 hour 15 minutes and less than 45 minutes to Rouen. Paris to Caen will take 1hour 30 minutes and to Cherbourg 2 hours 30 minutes.