From GMM
The French parliament has scrapped the senate's earlier approval of a formula one circuit project in the Yvelines area near Paris.
It was reported this week that obstacles to a French grand prix in 2011 at Flins-sur-Seine, in the department of Yvelines, had been swept away by a government bill amendment. The bill was designed to accelerate the process of getting all the permits and authorisations required, and begin construction of the track as soon as possible.
But although initially approved with Prime Minister Francois Fillon's support on the grounds of economic stimulus, the project was also greatly opposed, including by the political opposition and environmentalists.
Members of a joint committee therefore could not reach a compromise between the two chambers, and nullified the senate amendment.
Senator Bariza Khiari said the amendment was "at the expense of Magny-Cours and 400 jobs in Nievre (Nevers)", while environmentalists had argued that the circuit would have been built on important farming land 40 minutes from Paris.
Another government sitting was scheduled to discuss the issue further on Thursday, reports in France said.
photo:René Fagnan - Auto123.com
The French parliament has scrapped the senate's earlier approval of a formula one circuit project in the Yvelines area near Paris.
It was reported this week that obstacles to a French grand prix in 2011 at Flins-sur-Seine, in the department of Yvelines, had been swept away by a government bill amendment. The bill was designed to accelerate the process of getting all the permits and authorisations required, and begin construction of the track as soon as possible.
But although initially approved with Prime Minister Francois Fillon's support on the grounds of economic stimulus, the project was also greatly opposed, including by the political opposition and environmentalists.
Members of a joint committee therefore could not reach a compromise between the two chambers, and nullified the senate amendment.
Senator Bariza Khiari said the amendment was "at the expense of Magny-Cours and 400 jobs in Nievre (Nevers)", while environmentalists had argued that the circuit would have been built on important farming land 40 minutes from Paris.
Another government sitting was scheduled to discuss the issue further on Thursday, reports in France said.
photo:René Fagnan - Auto123.com