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Brussels road congestion “untenable”

The current mobility situation in and around Brussels is “untenable”, according to the Halle-Vilvoorde branch of Voka. The organisation was reacting to news that GPS manufacturers TomTom had named the capital as the worst place in Belgium for traffic delays. Despite records showing that the situation gets worse year after year, Voka said, policymakers have failed to act. The planned extension of the Brussels Ring is “essential” to solving the problem, Voka said – although the plan is hotly contested.

“It’s high time the environmental impact report on the northern Ring was completed, and the Flemish government made the budget available for the changes needed and for the realisation of the Brabantnet tram network,” said Paul Hegge, directorgeneral of Voka Halle-Vilvoorde.

Flemish transport minister Hilde Crevits is due in the next few weeks to announce a decision on the possible broadening of the Ring in the north of Brussels to as many as 17 lanes in places, which, according to Greenpeace, would increase carbon dioxide emissions by 10%. The plans are also opposed by the Brussels-Capital Region.

The Brabantnet tram network would consist of four new lines linking the capital with Heist-op-den-Berg, Ninove, Boom, Tervuren, Grimbergen, Vilvoorde and Zaventem.

“The solution lies in a sustainable combination of all modes of transport,” Hegge said. “There is also a need for better public transport, cycle lanes into Brussels and an effective regional express network.”

(April 10, 2024)