The construction of the A69 highway, meant to connect Toulouse and Castres, has been halted following a landmark ruling by the Toulouse Administrative Court.

The court annulled the permit for the project, citing insufficient justification for the environmental damage it would cause.

This decision marks the first time a major road project in France has been stopped for environmental reasons.

Environmental groups celebrated the ruling as a victory for ecological rights, while government officials criticized it as "absurd" and pledged to appeal.

The project, declared of public utility in 2018, aimed to improve connectivity in southern Tarn but faced strong opposition from activists and local communities.

The halt could cost up to a billion euros, raising questions about the future of large infrastructure projects in France.