Residents of a busy Brussels suburb whose garages become inaccessible due to roadworks can now benefit from a free temporary parking permit for the entire period during which their garage cannot be accessed.
But the municipality has worked to provide a solution for people facing this situation.
Until now, those affected in Ixelles had no suitable solution when their garage became temporarily inaccessible due to roadworks.
They were forced to park on the street and, where applicable, pay parking fees.
The situation was particularly problematic for people who were not officially registered as residents of the neighbourhood and were therefore not eligible for a resident parking permit.
A new initiative has now been proposed by Gautier Calomne (MR & Anders avec vous), First Alderman responsible for Commerce, and Valérie Libert (MR & Anders avec vous), Alderwoman responsible for Mobility and Parking.
To address this issue, the municipality of Ixelles contacted and held discussions with parking.brussels, the regional agency responsible for the operational management of regulated parking in Ixelles since 2019, in order to find a practical solution.
Valérie Libert explained: “We have listened to the difficulties experienced by our residents.
“In recent months, several urgent works have had to be carried out at very short notice, particularly following unforeseen interventions by Vivaqua, for example. Suddenly residents found themselves unable to use their garage, without having a suitable alternative for parking their vehicle. This was unacceptable.
“That is why we approached parking.brussels and asked for a practical solution to be made available to people facing this type of situation.”
Following these discussions, it is now possible to use a parking.brussels procedure that allows affected individuals to receive free temporary parking permits.
The scheme will apply to works in public spaces lasting at least 10 working days, representing approximately 20 worksites per year in Ixelles.
Those affected can submit their application directly to the regional agency via the contact form on its website. Applicants will need to provide proof of their connection to the vehicle and of their regular use of the garage that has become inaccessible. The permit will be free of charge and will remain valid for the entire period during which the garage is inaccessible as a result of the works concerned.
Gautier Calomne, First Alderman responsible for Economy and Commerce, said, “The first residents and shopkeepers to benefit from this solution in Ixelles were those affected by Vivaqua’s works in the Châtelain neighbourhood. This neighbourhood has already been significantly affected by major works in recent years. It was therefore essential for us to avoid adding extra parking costs to the inconvenience caused by the works. With this permit, we are providing a simple and practical solution to a very real problem.”
Residents affected by the works will be informed about this option through communications distributed before the works begin.
Practical information will also be available on the municipality’s website.
