E40 lorry park to remain open at night, mobility minister confirms
Ben Weyts has turned down a suggestion from the mayor of Wetteren that closing the park would prevent human trafficking via ports, saying the site is secure and the police are ready to act
‘We remain vigilant’
Human traffickers deliver migrants to the lorry parks and load them on lorries heading for the ports, and usually on to the United Kingdom. In September last year, the lorry parking at Drongen was closed, which has led to more migrants using the lorry park at Wetteren, the town’s mayor, Alain Pardaen, said.
Pardaen contacted East Flanders governor Jan Briers, who had previously organised a round-table of interested parties to discuss the problem. Briers then contacted Weyts.
However, Weyts decided not to follow up on the idea of closing the Wetteren lorry park. “Unlike Drongen, Wetteren is a guarded car park, and the police are close by,” he said. “We remain vigilant, and the police are also ready to act.” The car park is free of charge after 18.00, to encourage drivers to park behind the secure fence.
Photo courtesy De Gentenaar
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