Why lunigiana might be a good place to buy...

[bernard]

I have just heard from our neighbours that plans to build a new exit from the A15 (Parma to La Spezia) at Villafanca in Lunigiana have been pushed forward. This will cut 15/20 minutes off any airport/ seaside trips from Villafranca, Bagnone etc (no need to follow winding roads to Aulla, or Pontremoli). No doubt more tourists and jobs will be the result. Great news for anyone looking to buy in the area! A new centro commerciale is planned too.

[derekL]

If this is for real, my dreams will have come true.
It's probably the only downer about the Bagnone area... having to drive to Aulla or Pontremoli to get to the motorway.
Any idea where this news might have originated? Reported anywhere?

[Persephone]

I'm in this area too. If I find anything out, I'll let you know. Meanwhile if anyone else knows anything...

[tuscanhills]

Originally Posted by derekL

If this is for real, my dreams will have come true.
It's probably the only downer about the Bagnone area... having to drive to Aulla or Pontremoli to get to the motorway. ...........

NO! I like to be hidden away; it keeps them ghastly Brits away!

[Ghianda]

In the summer there was a guy sat outside the little Conad in VillaFranca collecting signatures in favour of a new exit, but I can't see any reference on the Comune website COMUNE di VILLAFRANCA in LUNIGIANA (SITO UFFICIALE) so I suspect the hills will remain quiet for some time to come.

I think the existing autostrade infrastructure is pretty good as it is, though I have seen some horendous weekend queues in the past at the Aulla junction.

Ghianda
Tuscany Bed and Breakfast - L'Olivo Piegato, The Crooked Olive

[deborahandricky]

Has this anything to do with the new Boeing plant, that I heard about ?

[Persephone]

Boeing plant? Tell me more!

[tuscanhills]

Originally Posted by Ghianda

......I think the existing autostrade infrastructure is pretty good as it is, though I have seen some horendous weekend queues in the past at the Aulla junction......

Have they finished the tunnel work/revamp yet just east of Aulla? It's been going on for the last five years or so, on & off more times than, well, you know

[Nicola]

We originally heard about this around 2 years ago when looking to buy a house. We mentioned it to one of our friends (a local police officer) and he shrugged and said that it's something that's been talked about for around the last 10 years or so, so who knows when, or if ever, it would happen. What we've heard, from a few different sources, is that there is actually a plan to improve the connection between the motorway exit at Aulla and Villafranca ie turning left at the end of the bridge and building a road that would go near Terrarossa (kind of following the river) and connect up to the Villafranca road, effectively bypassing Aulla.

It may well be that the motorway exit at Villafranca really is going ahead this time but for the time that these things take to get organised in Italy I wouldn't really hold your breath

[meringue]

What a useful forum this is - very glad to have discovered it! I have had a little house in the Lunigiana for a number of years which I visit as often as I can. I thought I knew the area pretty well by now, but have discovered some great new recommendations for restaurants, etc on this site.

Who do people recommend for property management in theLunigiana (as I'm currently having a bit of a review of my existing arrangements)? I'm meaning someone to sort out the bills, laundry, etc, rather than a letting agency.

Also, I'm always interested in hearing about good walks that people have done in the area - and possible walking companions - if anyone has any suggestions? Preferably starting or ending with a good meal somewhere!