Pau: Demonstration of the traveling people blocks access near the Lescar area

IN BRIEF On February 10, travellers blocked access on the D 817 road near Lescar. A crackdown operation to denounce the failure to collect waste. Brandon, spokesperson, stated that the trash had not been collected for 5-6 months. The mayor of Lescar, Valérie Revel, mentioned inadequate collection rotations. The protesters expressed their anger at the lack of assistance from Agglo services. A road cleaning was carried out around 6:30 p.m. to restore traffic.

On Monday, February 10, a protest by travellers caused a significant blockage on the D817 road, near the roundabout on the road to Sault-de-Navailles, close to the reception area of Lescar. The protesters, expressing their discontent over what they deemed precarious living conditions, dumped garbage on the roadway, leading to heavy traffic jams. Their symbolic action, claimed by the inhabitants of the reception area, highlighted a societal issue that deserves particular attention.

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An act of anger in the face of an alarming situation #

At around 5 p.m., the scene was chaotic: bins were scattered on the road, where light vehicles could turn around while heavy trucks and school buses were immobilized. Brandon, spokesperson for the residents of the Lescar reception area, explained that their waste had not been collected for five to six months, prompting the community to take action. “Today, we are putting out the bins,” he stated, emphasizing the residents’ fed-up response to their neglected everyday life.

The lands of oblivion #

The mayor of Lescar, Valérie Revel, clarified that collections were indeed set up by the urban community to ensure waste collection. Despite the installation of a bin, it quickly overflowed, and rubbish spread around, making it difficult for cleaning teams to intervene. The elected official noted that a prior collection had been carried out, but the waste was again present all around the area, largely due to the lack of cooperation to access the bin.

Unkept promises #

Community members expressed their frustration regarding the lack of follow-up from the relevant authorities. Brandon recounted a meeting in March during which he had been promised the construction of small houses by a social landlord. However, he lamented the prevailing uncertainty: “We are still waiting for news, and in September, we were told that there was no landlord.” For him and many others, this situation reflects a deep sense of abandonment. “We are the outcasts of society,” he stated bitterly.

Cleaning and return to normalcy #

As the day progressed, the protesters eventually left the area, allowing for the cleaning of the departmental road to begin, clearing the way for traffic around 6:30 p.m. The residents of the Lescar reception area have previously organized similar actions to denounce their living conditions. In January 2024, protests had already taken place, revealing persistent anger and an urgent need for dialogue with local authorities.

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A necessary dialogue #

This demonstration, although disruptive for road users, raises significant issues regarding how travellers are treated by society. Their demands are not solely about waste collection, but also about a fundamental need for respect, dignity, and listening. In light of the palpable anger and determination of this community, it is imperative that public actors engage in constructive dialogue to find lasting solutions.