On August 13, 2004 in France, the Act on local liberties and responsibilities was promulgated. This law modified the distribution of powers betweenthe French State and the different levels of local government. In the area of roads, it led to the transfer in January, 2006 of approximately half the national road network to the French Districts. The application of these principles goes hand in hand with the affirmation of the State's role inensuring the integrity of road networks with a view to maintaining road safety and the free circulation of people and goods. Accordingly, the Stateand the Districts must invent new forms of cooperation. The goal of transferring roads and associated personnel to the Districts is to enable each level of government concerned to apply its policies more effectively in terms of both financial management and the service provided to users. The control of the whole framework of infrastructure and technical services by the Districts makes possible a better adjustment of local development policies to the relevant territory with renewed and enriched input from citizens and elected representatives. The refocusing of the State on a more restricted network, largely comprised of the busiest routes, makes possible a specialisation and professionalisation in the organisation of road servicesthrough the putting into place of road-dedicated units at a level of government which best corresponds to the current travelling behaviour of road-users. For the Districts, the long-term challenge is to succeed in maintaining and developing the technical skills of the transferred services. For the State, the major challenge consists of managing a change in culture: the road network having reached maturity, the highest priority must be given to operating and no longer to expanding. For the covering abstract see ITRD E139491.
Abstract