Paris, May 25 – Local officials from the Manche department are calling for swift and firm commitments from the French state concerning the Paris-Normandy New Line (LNPN) project. They have voiced their discontent with the current roadmap, which they believe disproportionately favors infrastructure development in eastern Normandy, particularly the Seine Valley, over the needs of their region.
Manche Officials Express Dissatisfaction with LNPN Roadmap
The new roadmap for the Paris-Normandy New Line (LNPN) project has not been well-received by elected officials in Manche. For months, local representatives and parliamentarians have been urging the state to fully integrate the department’s needs into the project, which appears to prioritize developments in the East, in the Seine Valley, and industrial issues such as nuclear, tidal, and defense sectors.
A presentation given at the prefecture on April 10 did little to reassure the territory, despite significant short-term challenges, notably the ‘Aval du Futur’ project.
“Supporting Economic Development”
On Monday, May 18, 2026, the issue was on the agenda for the M9, a meeting of elected officials comprising the President of the Manche Department and the eight presidents of the Public Establishments for Intercommunal Cooperation (EPCI) in the territory. This meeting followed a significant renewal of the governance bodies of the communal assemblies.
In a joint letter to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, they once again raised concerns about the direction of the high-speed rail line. The M9 officials stated, “The territories of Manche are highly dependent on the structural improvement of the railway network to meet the daily mobility needs of their inhabitants, support their residential attractiveness, and accompany their economic development. The major industrial prospects of the department – whether it concerns Orano, Naval Group, or the development of the tidal energy sector – will have significant implications in terms of employment, travel flows, and demographic evolution, requiring adapted railway anticipation.”
“We Expect Firm Commitments”
According to the officials, the success of the “most important industrial project in Europe” led by Orano, ‘Aval du Futur’, “depends on our collective ability to provide one of France’s most nuclearized departments with infrastructure commensurate with the challenges.”
The M9 officials further elaborated in their letter to Sébastien Lecornu, “We expect firm and rapid commitments from the State so that the railway needs of Western Normandy are finally fully integrated and that the final scope of the LNPN project guarantees balanced development of Normandy, in accordance with the principles of territorial equity. Thus, we request that work be scheduled quickly to allow for an increase in speed between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Caen.”
The officials emphasize that improved rail links are crucial for the region’s economic vitality and the daily lives of its residents. The current plans, they argue, do not adequately address the growing needs of a department undergoing significant industrial expansion, particularly in the energy and defense sectors. The lack of robust infrastructure could hinder the potential for job creation and demographic growth in Manche.
The call for an increase in speed between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Caen is a key demand, aiming to better connect the western part of Normandy with the rest of the region and Paris. This improvement is seen as essential for both passenger and freight transport, facilitating economic exchanges and enhancing the overall attractiveness of the area.
The officials are hopeful that their collective voice will lead to a re-evaluation of the LNPN project’s priorities, ensuring that the development benefits all parts of Normandy equally. They stress the importance of a balanced approach that considers the unique industrial and demographic dynamics of each department within the region.
