Londerzeel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Londerzeel, council member Guido Robberechts and officials Greet Ilegems and Bart Van Doren highlighted farmers’ road access problems, pushing for better planning to support farm vehicles, emergency services, and deliveries.
As VRT News reported, in Londerzeel, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, farm vehicles are having trouble using local roads. Many streets are too narrow, and cars parked on both sides make it worse. Council member Guido Robberechts and the Business Guild drove a picker and a potato harvester through the town to show the problem.
Officials mentioned that in many spots, the machines could hardly get through. Sometimes, farmers have no choice but to pass by schools with heavy equipment. They say it is not safe, but other roads are hard to use.
Robberechts says this is not just a problem for farmers. Delivery trucks and even fire engines face the same issues. They often need to take long detours. He says the town should plan streets better and think about all types of vehicles.
How can Londerzeel improve roads to better support farmers and emergency vehicles?
Council member Guido Robberechts says the town should plan streets that fit the needs of everyone, not just cars and bikes. He warns that farmers, delivery drivers, and emergency services are often left out when roads are changed.
This causes problems, like slow deliveries and delayed emergency help. Robberechts is asking the town to listen to farmers and emergency teams before fixing or building roads. He believes this can make the streets safer and more useful for the whole town.
Robberechts says local farms need space to keep working and moving safely. Farm vehicles are big and slow, so roads should fit their needs. He mentioned that as more people use the roads, it’s important to help farmers, too. Their work supports food and jobs, so they need safe and clear ways to get around.
A recent tour in the region focused on the problems farmers face with traffic and road access. The visit was more than just a formality; it helped point out real issues that slow down farm work. 2 local officials, Greet Ilegems and Bart Van Doren from the N-VA party, joined the tour. They promised to pass the farmers’ concerns on to the right departments.
They mentioned that the needs of farmers, who play a key role in producing food, must also be part of the plan. By listening to farmers and including their needs, local leaders are working to build a stronger and more lasting future for rural areas.
Last year, farmers in East Flanders spoke out about problems with road safety and access during harvest time. Officials listened and held meetings with farmers and traffic experts to find solutions. As a result, new rules were made for better road signs and special paths for farm machines.
