“One wonders if the human side is important”: a discomfort settles among the inhabitants of the port

Havre of peace, greenhouse or even oxygen bubble in the heart of the city, the so -called names to characterize the port of Montauban are not lacking. Several boats have always been moored there. Some are inhabited regularly, and several boaters even live there all year round. But behind this idyllic image hides a more complex reality. And for several months, among the residents of the barges, the discontent has risen …

Indeed, since January 1, Ways Navigables of France (VNF), which is the national operator in charge of the site, has changed manager. A decision linked to an evolution of “legal constraints”, advances Elvyre Lassalle, head of the development service for VNF Sud-Ouest. Following a call for tenders, the management of the premises was entrusted to Sodeports, a private manager, replacing the Grand Montauban. And it was not until March 1 that the new managers, Anne and Bruno Duvinage, really took matters into their own hands.

In the meantime, it was the boaters who had taken care of the management of the port. “We took care of the reception of passing boats in order to explain to them where to park, how to connect,” recalls Jean-François Guéritte, a resident of a barge and president of the Port Canal Montauban association. “We have ensured the cleaning of the toilets, contacted the town so that they come more often to empty the trash cans,” he explains. A form of self -management, ensured with the support of an employee of VNF responsible for the transition pending the arrival of the new manager.

Lack of communication and services

An arrival that left the dubious boaters. “We did not have an exchange with Sodeports. We received a single communication which was only an administrative communication in order to provide them with the administrative documents of the boats, is surprised the president of the association. We wanted to invite them to a welcome pot, but they declined, he regrets. A captain, for people of water, is really a place of life.” Also, this refusal was poorly perceived by many port users, very attached to the site.

Over the months, communication with the company and the exchanges that took place gradually. Some pointed out several dysfunctions and shortcomings: trash cans not emptied quite regularly, restricted captain, cleanliness of questionable sanitary facilities, etc.

Another voltage point is the implementation of individual electricity meters while before, the energy was included in mooring costs. “An installation made by surprise, denounces the representative of boaters. People arrived on the pontoons and made the changes without being warned.” And to add: “Before, the billing was fixed. We paid for the location, and the electricity and the water were included. Everything consumed must be billed. At the port, nobody is against that, he recalls, but it is the way of doing things that struck us a lot.” The amount of the KWH is also a source of dissatisfaction, it is now 41 cents, while the regulated rate set by EDF, turns, rather around 20 cents/kWh.

Several boaters have left the port where are preparing to do so

For Andrée and Raymond Lope, the manager’s method and operating mode do not pass. “We wonder if the human side is important for them,” wonders the couple. “I know many sea ports,” said Sébastien Couly, another resident, only here where there is no human relationship, “he is surprised. A fourth highlights the degradation of services and the atmosphere for a significant and “brutal” cost increase. “The counters are not secure, and anyone can connect on it,” imagine some navigants. These tensions have led at least two of them to make a radical decision: put their boats on sale and return to dry land.

On the professional side, the river company also notes a significant impact on its company, which estimates a 140 % increase in its fixed costs compared to last year. “It is likely to make me consider the end of my activity,” sums up Nicolas Périé, the business manager.

However, not all of them are ready to leave the port, and Jean-François Guéritte, the spokesman for boaters, wants to believe in normalization of exchanges. “We hope that the relationship with Sodeports will calm down. We would like to co-construct with them, and create a real link,” he sums up, as a tense hand.

VNF and Sodeports promise two meetings per year to appease tensions

Following the exchanges of email and previous discussions, a first meeting was organized between VNF, Sodeports, the Grand Montauban and the boaters, on July 22. Everyone was able to express themselves, explanations were given, solutions proposed. “Incivility has been noted in the toilets, barrels will be changed and new keys will be distributed to boaters,” quotes, among other examples Elvyre Lassalle, head of the development service for VNF Sud-Ouest.

On the point of electricity meters, Anne Duvinage, the co -manager, with her husband Bruno, of sodeports, specifies that “labeling on the plug and on the boating meter allow agents to be able to control that it is the right person who is connected to the right place”. Before recalling: “The regulations require that, if no one is on board, the boats must be disconnected. It is a question of safety in order to avoid electric lights. It is not possible to close a counter because, in the event of a fire, you must be able to quickly disconnect the sockets,” insists the manager.

At the start of the school year, a new meeting will be organized between all parties. “We will organize two annual meetings, promises the representative of the French Ways of France, to discuss the points that would remain to be treated. But Sodeports, like VNF, and the Grand Montauban, which is associated with our approach, remain attentive. Let the season happen and see in September,” concludes Elvyre Lassalle.