February 5, 2019, a fall of about 500 kilos of rocks occurred at 3:50 pm on the Reunion main coastal road causing no injury. The roads on the mountain side and on the sea side were all impacted by the fallen rocks. The last major fall of rocks in this area dates from 2009.
In order to clean the road, to carry out the emergency works, to allow the intervention of the Roads teams of the Reunion Region and as a preventive measure, the traffic was diverted.
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In addition, to avoid the “tilted circulation mode” until Sunday, the Reunion Region had decided as a security measure to complete a total closure of the coast road from Wednesday, February 6 from 12h to 14h to perform purges and cleaning work on the starting area of the day’s rock fall. A deviation was set up by the road to the mountain. Reunionais were invited to make their arrangements accordingly.
That was an official announcement of the 5th February.
“LaRéunionEcolo’ issued their one Communique following the falling of rocks that cause the closure of the Coastal Road:
Following the scree that impacted the coastal road fortunately without damage or casualties, LaRéunionEcolo reminded everyone the urgency of the commissioning of the New Coastal Road. “Let us add that not only the current road has a continued financial cost, but also that the protection nets of the cliff are not in any way ecological (attacking birds – mulch-in-tail – and endemic vegetation)” the communique said.
“Let’s not forget that the Nouvelle Route du Littoral provides for an exceptional consideration of the environmental impact. In fact, on this large-scale project, actions in favour of fauna and flora amounted to 80 million euros of investment and 150 blue and green measures (for example rehabilitation of vegetation for sites of laying of sea turtles on the beaches of the west, whale trail, protection of petrels) were taken on board to compensate for the environmental impact of the construction site. This approach is unique to Reunion Island in terms of consultation with all stakeholders in the region” the communique added.
“LaRéunionEcolo” used their communique to ask the people of Réunion to open their eyes to denounce the politicization of this important project.
