Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- At least eighty citizens showed up on Wednesday evening during the Schaerbeek city council. The group came to express its displeasure with the circulation plans. Critical voices were also heard from the opposition. However, the Schaerbeek majority is holding their ground: the third and final part of the circulation plan will be introduced.
“Cancel the plan! We’re going to destroy everything,” chants a group of citizens present just before the start of the Schaerbeek city council. They refer to the Schaerbeek circulation plan, the third phase of which will be implemented on 24 October in the Stephenson district. This is the third Schaerbeek district where new one-way streets or traffic filters are intended to make public space more car-free.
As before in Anderlecht, Brussels City and Jette, a motion is being prepared in Schaerbeek asking for the temporary suspension of Good Move. PTB-PVDA is still working on the text and adding amendments from other opposition parties. The text will be submitted at the end of November. “You only have to go into the neighbourhoods to hear that there is a lot of dissatisfaction with the plan,” Joelle Crema of PTB.
On Wednesday evening, several critical questions came from the opposition, including from independent liberal councillor Georges Verzin. He fears that the emergency services will lose valuable time. Matthieu Degrez (PS) in turn believes that the majority has done too little with the participation of the population. Angelina Chan (MR) and Cedric Mahieu (Les Engages) also join the criticism.
Action group 1030/0 has meanwhile announced that it is in favour of the circulation plan in the Stephenson district. “The intersection on the Paviljoenplein will be simplified to allow the tram to pass more quickly. Heavy traffic will also be barred from the gate of the Pavilion School, where near misses currently take place every day,” says Pieter Fannes of the collective.
Majority stands firm
The majority of Ecolo/Groen and Défi accept the criticism and maintain the circulation plans in the three districts concerned. The Commission points out that it has already informed the population through various channels and participatory processes. For the introduction of the third part of the circulation plan, the Municipal Executive is stepping up a gear. “This morning I had direct conversations with the traders of the Paviljoenplein,” said Alderman for Mobility Adelheid Byttebier (Green) to BRUZZ .
“The traders hear so many stories, so I’m going to tell you with the plan in hand what is going to happen next week. People have a lot of questions. They are not only about mobility, but also about safety, cleanliness and high bills. That’s why After the circulation plan has been installed, I will continue to hold those talks with the ships of Handel.”
Evaluation
The three districts where a circulation plan has been introduced will be evaluated from the summer of 2023, Byttebier says in response to questions from the opposition. The alderman also makes an overview of the themes about which complaints and e-mails from citizens are concerned. It also includes reports from the municipal services, police, community guards and street workers.
One of the criticisms that is being heard in various places in Brussels is how the circulation plans are creating more cars and traffic chaos instead of less. “In the long term, the circulation plan will result in less car pressure and less pollution,” says Byttebier. An external company will measure the air quality. There are also counts to compare the traffic situation with the old one. The results are also expected in the course of next year.
