Planned engineering works on the Nice - Ventimiglia rail line: SNCF RESEAU measures to reduce disruption are deemed inadequate

© Direction de la Communication

A meeting was held yesterday between Céline Caron-Dagioni, the Principality's Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development, Jean-Pierre Serrus, Vice-President in charge of transport and sustainable mobility for the PACA region, representatives from SNCF Voyageurs, SNCF Réseau, and local and regional authorities, to discuss the planned engineering works and the proposed replacement service affecting the Nice-Ventimiglia line.

These works aim to improve several areas, including accessibility for people with reduced mobility at Villefranche-sur-Mer station, the overhead line equipment between Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Monaco, the St-Laurent tunnel at Eze and the multimodal interchange hub at Beaulieu-sur-Mer station. The works will affect the Nice-Ventimiglia rail line, causing service disruptions from 9pm to 6am on Sunday nights.

SNCF Réseau has proposed a replacement service to minimise the impact on travel during these works. However, the current proposal does not meet the expectations of passengers and the Monegasque authorities. Therefore, officials from the PACA region and the Principality have requested the postponement of the works to amend the timetables accordingly and find alternative solutions. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the impact on sporting events, particularly upcoming football match nights.

SNCF Réseau rejected the request to postpone the work (which starts on 15 September) but has agreed to push back the start of nighttime work from 9pm to 10:45pm for a few days. While this change will reduce the need for replacement services to just one at 11:30pm, it still falls short of the Principality's expectations.

The PACA region and the Principality of Monaco are committed to continuing their joint efforts. A further meeting will be held in the Principality on Monday, 16 September at 6.30pm.