Agricultural Protests Disrupt Traffic and Rail in Auch, Prompting Government Response

On December 16 and 17, 2025, large-scale agricultural protests in the Auch department have caused substantial disruptions to public infrastructure, including road closures and rail traffic interruptions. The protests, marked by blockades and waste dumped on key transport routes, have provoked authorities to activate official response measures and issue frequent updates throughout the events.

According to official situation reports from the Gard prefecture, the operational departmental center (COD) was opened on December 16 to coordinate responses. A series of situation updates were released at regular intervals throughout the day—6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM, and 8:30 PM—detailing the evolving circumstances of the protests and the governmental actions taken.

In Auch, protests have severely impacted traffic conditions. The RD1124 road has been closed in both directions amid blockades. Various key roundabouts are either partially accessible or completely blocked. Areas like Place de la Libération, rue de la République, and rue Arnaud De Moles have seen waste dumped to obstruct vehicular flow. Rail traffic on the SNCF line is completely interrupted due to similar blockades, specifically waste dumped on the tracks near the avenue de la Marne level crossing.

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, recommending preparation for slowdowns and advising the use of alternate routes. Real-time updates and route information are being provided through platforms including Waze and the Info Route 32 Facebook page. Bus schedules and rail service resumptions are also being monitored closely to mitigate commuter disruption.

The ongoing nature of the protests and the official multi-level response underscore the seriousness of the agricultural sector's demands and its impact on public order. Through frequent situation reports and the activation of the operational center, authorities continue to manage the evolving situation while informing the public.

This sustained protest activity highlights the tensions within the agricultural community and their willingness to disrupt critical transport infrastructure to voice grievances, prompting continued government attention and coordinated intervention.