Le Figaro Marseille
“There have always been people who drove hard in the summer, but now there are those who use this road as a rodeo spot
,” sighs Guy Barotto. The president of the neighborhood interest committee (CIQ) and resident of Callelongue, a small fishing hamlet nestled in the creeks of Marseille, has been worried for several weeks for the safety of his neighbors. The cause: several motorcycles and cars driving at high speed on the only road serving the port after dark, during dangerous urban rodeos.
“For several years the place has been identified by revelers who come out of nightclubs located nearby. They meet up with several cars and use the road as a car track, while others skid on the roundabout. We feel that there is something that attracts them
,” explains Guy Barotto, who notes that the drivers are getting closer and closer to the fifty or so homes in the port.
“Three weeks ago, a car crashed into a shed at the entrance to the village. We heard a big “boom”. One day, we’re going to have one on the terraces
,” he warns.
“The morons will always exist”
Last Friday, a Renault Clio got a little too close to the sidewalks and tore down several small posts located at the entrance to the town. The accident caused no injuries, but continues to annoy local residents, who have taken action at the town hall of the 6th and 8th arrondissements. She raised the problem with the Bouches-du-Rhône police prefect, asking that
“specific vigilance”
be provided in the sector.
Several nighttime speed control operations have been carried out near Callelongue and municipal police patrols have since been carrying out patrols along the road leading to the hamlet.
“In recent days, the police have doubled their presence, so things have calmed down a little, but the goons will always exist
,” confirms Pietro, who lives next to Callelongue.
“The police can act to control them, but we will not be able to post a crew in front of the hamlet all night
,” agrees Guy Barotto, who has been campaigning since last October for the installation of speed bumps at the entrance to his hamlet, which is very frequented by tourists all year round. In the meantime, the carcass of one of the damaged cars still lies facing the sea waiting to be recovered by the pound.