http://www.creme-de-languedoc.comLatest news for the Languedoc-Roussillon region of FranceSat, 28 Apr 2007 11:35:56 +0120OrangeBox for Macintosh 1.0.0http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpAn ambitious plan has been launched by the Heart of Herault transport consortium to re-open some of the old train lines in the area. The plan envisages linking Cap D’Agde through Pezenas to Clermont L’Hérault branching north to Ceyras and then curving back to Montpellier to link up with tram line 3. Figures show that 55% of Heart Hérault population now work in Montpellier – a figure which is expected to double in the next 20 years. Another driver for the scheme is the ambitious “Technoparc” which is planned between Ceyras and Lodève which would be served by a station between St Felix de Lodez and Ceyras. So the plan is to take cars off road and save on carbon emissions and congestion – using electric trains partly powered wind-farms Much of the old track is still in place and SNCF use part of the route to transport ballast from Lezignan la Cebe to the main line at Vias.Pie in the sky or not the scheme has been floated by SVCH – Services des Voies de Circulation de l’Herault.Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpThe region and government have given the OK to the TGV deviation around Nimes and Montpellier, the technical preparatory work is now underway. This will then leave the stretch between Montpellier to Perpignan continuing along the slow route via the coast to Perpignan, the trace for this route has been agreed but no date for the work to start has been agreed.For the commuters around Ales and Nimes, work has started on the viaduct, which will end the practice of reversing all the trains that arrive from Ales and further north in the Cevennes.Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120Perhaps the most important railway news, which will improve journey times a lot, is the new TGV line from Perpignan to Figueras in Spain. This line built to the UIC standard gauge and not the Spanish broad gauge will open on the19th February 2009. Tunnels piercing the Pyrenees were finished in late March. Once services start we’re promised a 55-minute high-speed journey from Perpignan to Barcelona.... and then on to Madrid The new high speed line in Spain from Madrid to Llerida just about to be extended to Tarragona later this month of December this line also to the UIC (Union International de Chemins de Fer) gauge will be extended to Barcelona very soon.http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.php If you're really fed up with the sight of ever increasing numbers of heavy lorries pounding along the A9 motorway, then the new freight service between Perpignan to Luxembourg called a ferroutage, lorries on trains, will start with a daily service and all being well being extended to up to seven trains a day.Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpPerhaps the most important railway news, which will improve journey times a lot, is the new TGV line from Perpignan to Figueras in Spain. This line built to the UIC standard gauge and not the Spanish broad gauge will open on the19th February 2009. Tunnels piercing the Pyrenees were finished in late March. Once services start we’re promised a 55-minute high-speed journey from Perpignan to Barcelona.... and then on to Madrid The new high speed line in Spain from Madrid to Llerida just about to be extended to Tarragona later this month of December this line also to the UIC (Union International de Chemins de Fer) gauge will be extended to Barcelona very soon.For those who like a restful journey by train, the good news is that the Spanish railway builder Talgo is building half of these new high-speed trains, which are very comfortable.Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpHerault Sport has promised there will be 460 days of events and exhibitions to complement the Rugby world cup in Languedoc, which is being held in the Department this year.The Languedoc regional sports body aims to encourage enthusiasm in over 20,000 young potentials this year.Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpA January record temperature of 22oC has been recorded in Prades-le-Lez, Languedoc. Caused by a stable mass of tropical air, the meteo confirm that with the warm autumn and unseasonally warm July - this is the 3rd exceptional weather event in the last seven months in Languedoc.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpThe peage free auto route, apart from the Millau bridge toll, from Paris to Montpellier in Languedoc, is expected to open on time by the end of the year. At a cost of €20 million, the new Herault bridge will bypass the road over Gignac's historic bridge and speed motorists to Montpellier, Languedoc. 45% of the bridges construction cost will be met by the state – the rest from local budgets.Meanwhile the A75 through to Beziers, Languedoc shows no sign of even being started which means another year of traffic jams at Valros at the only traffic light between Paris and the Mediterranean!Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpTo keep the Languedoc region “going green” last years grant level grants of 10euro mill has been increased to 16.4 as the region aims to stay the greenest part of France. Growth in Languedoc has been enormous this last year. – Solar water heating panels: + 120% - Solar Photovoltaic (electricity): + 265% - and Wood Energy: + 460%. And this growth is expected to continue through the year.The Languedoc region is also to equip 5,000 social housing units with solar at a cost of 5 million euros each year - aiming to have 25.000 by the year 2010.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpMore than 230 million euros has been earmarked to improve the railway system in the Languedoc region – which includes plans to 46 new Rail-cars. Priority is also to be given to improve stations by raising and lengthening the platforms to allow easier train access especially for people with reduced mobility, Train frequency and connections between TER car tram bus will also be improved in the next few years. A completely new system of Via Cards are to be introduced in Languedoc to give discount to students, claimants and a Freedom card especially for locals to make local travel easier and cheaper.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpFrench state agrees extra 70 million euros for the Languedoc region. The regional council of Languedoc-Roussillon, is the first area of France to sign a "contract of projects" with the State. In cash terms what has been agreed is, of the regions 814 million euros budget the State will provide 496 million - an advance of almost 70 million euros on the original bid. This means 3 billion euros has been agreed for Languedoc-Roussillon from 2007 and 2013 for 5 strategic priorities.1. develop the regions “human capital” capital through training and education ,2. support companies which in turn will create jobs,3. improve public transport,4. develop better telecommunications,5. and projects to ensure better social cohesion.The projects which failed to get support -include the creation of the University of Languedoc- improvements to flood defences, and support schemes for vines, agriculture and forestry.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpIn a new contract for the port, SINTAX the Spanish transport and shipping company, have switched car importation business from Tarragona in Spain to Sete in Languedoc. It is expected this year over 15,000 vehicles will be imported rising to 25,000 by the end of 2008. The first shipment of 644 vehicles arrived in Sete, Languedoc earlier in the month. Sete was chosen because of its deep water port and the vast area of guarded storage space for the cars, many of which are en route to Morocco and Algeria. This is a great breakthrough for the port and Languedoc, the management of which, has just been taken over by the Region. In face of tough competition from Marseilles and Barcelona the contract is crucial to the harbour which has been in decline for a number of years. The new regional team want to develop Sete and Port Nouvel as part of a Languedoc-Regional strategy for developing enterprise and employment. Both ports are in ideal spots to service the Maghreb countries. Meanwhile Sete continues to enjoy its reputation as Frances largest Mediterranean fishing port – the fishing port has its own separate harbour facilities.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpMontpellier's Musee Fabre is to open its doors to the Languedoc public on 3 February after more than 4 years refurbishment and extension. The cost of the renovated and enlarged museum, which now covers 9,200 m2 and will have room for 3,500 pictures and 900 drawings, is over 61 million euros.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120hhttp://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpA 5 million euro face lift for the parking under the Comedie has been announced which will include WC’s, a new entrance and a lift near to the flower market and close to the Gaumont Cinema. Operators Vinci have been replaced by Tam – the city’s transport section. Plans are also in hand to provide facilities to charge electric cars and scooters in the re-modelled 750 place underground park which will be completed for 2008 in Languedoc.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpThe route for Ligne 3 has now been agreed after a period of consultation and will be in service by 2010.. Line 1 between Mosson and Odysseum, started operation in July 2000 and carries more than 100.000 passengers a day. In December 2006, line 2 with the trams of a distinctive flowal design will run 19,8 km and serve five communes: Saint Jean de Védas - Montpellier - Castelnau-le-lez - Crès - Jacou. This line has 34 stations. By 2010, a third line will start from Juvignac to Pérols, via Montpellier and Lattes. This will mean nearly 25% of public transport will be on the tram network in Montpellier, Languedoc.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpPresidential hopeful Segolene Royal has been made a Citoyenne d’honneur by the maire or Montpellier, Languedoc, Helene Mandroux. Mdm Royal was also given the medal of the region by Languedoc president Georges Freche.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpBeziers airport in Languedoc is to widen its runway to take large jets - opening the way for low-cost carriers. This winter the airport will be refurbished and have its runway remodelled to allow large jet planes to land. Work has already started. and the new enlarged runway is expected to be in service by the Spring of 2007. Airport officials in Languedoc are at present involved in negotiations with a low cost airline but will not disclose which one until plans are more advanced. However an airport official told French News that they are confident a budget airline will be flying to Beziers, Languedoc in the spring of next year. It is thought the service will be from the UK but at this stage it is impossible to be more precise. The new service will mean that next year both of the departments major airports, the other being Montpellier, will bring tourists to Languedoc. A recent study shows that between 1000 and 1,600 new residents settle in the department each month.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpRyanAir's route between Nottingham East Midlands and Nimes will not operate between November 9 and December 19, and between January 9 and February 28.Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120http://www.languedocliving.com/Languedoc/news.phpNew residents are an important motor for the development of the department according to the latest figures. Between 12 and 16,000 people settle in the Herault each year – which is equal to a new town the size of Lodeve. Heading the list of migrants is the Ile-de-France with 19%, 15% from other parts of the Languedoc Roussilon region followed by 12% from Northern Europe. Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0120