ASF - 2002 annual report - Vinci

In Greece, our grouping with
Bouygues and the Greek partners
was approved by the
Government for four motorway
sections, one of which is a ring
road around Athens and three
other north-south sections. We
are now awaiting the actual
invitation to tender. We would
like to continue our international
development and our speciality
of operating transport
infrastructures, but under
conditions that suit us and preserve
the profitability of the
current concession.
There as elsewhere, caution
reigns and the consolidation of
our financial structure remains
the primary priority from now
until 2005.
Since this year, the Group has
an Environment and
Sustainable Development
Division. What are the challenges
which ASF is confronting?
J. Tavernier: Sustainable development
is an ethical approach
that is at the very core of our
business. Ending the isolation
of the regions while showing
consideration for the populations
and territories concerned,
working so that the motorway is
a source of vitality and stability
over time, these are the foundations
on which the sustainable
development principles of the
ASF Group are built. The crea-
Interviews
Chairman and Managing Director respectively of Autoroutes du Sud de la France.
tion of this new division gives us
the means to clarify and further
improve our performance in a
wholly comprehensible way.
Taking into account our expertise,
particularly in the environment, it
is also a means of reinforcing
our status as a European leader
of concessions, a guarantee of
growth and independence. 2003
will be dedicated to defining the
objectives and preparing the
actions which the Group will
undertake. A report dedicated
to sustainable development will
be presented early 2004, consistent
with the commitments
made collectively by the motorway
companies.
How do you anticipate dealing
with the increased road safety
measures on the motorway?
J. Tavernier: The ASF network
was severely affected by the
death toll of 118 in 2002; there
were too many accidents involving
our response units. These
safety concerns will be at the
heart of our preoccupations, for
our customers and for our personnel.
We have already taken
and will continue to take measures
in terms of the infrastructure
(reinforcing the central
reservations to avoid HGV crossing
them, etc.), equipment
(extension of the coverage of
the 107.7 radio station, etc.),
training and communication.
Bernard Val and Jacques Tavernier
From this perspective, we are
also collaborating with the
“Gendarmerie” police force
and are integrating our actions
into the national effort decided
by the Government. 2003 will
be the year of safety in ASF.
The ASF Group was awarded
many distinctions in 2002…
B. Val: ASF was indeed in the
limelight in 2002. And we are
proud of it! A “Ruban d’Or”
(golden ribbon) for the quality
of the integration of the A20
into the landscape and a bronze
for a sound attenuation barrier
on the A62, the “Fil d’Or”
for the shareholder service, two
Awards in San Francisco for the
quality of traffic information
and Internet and the “Trophée
de l’Accueil” presented by the
Ministry of Tourism. These prizes
are an encouragement to
continue improving the quality
of the services proposed to our
customers and the quality of
our financial communication
intended for our shareholders.
They also testify to the professionalism
of our teams.
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