Ghent ( The Brussels Morning Newspaper): The Gentbrugge bridge traffic plan, started in April, frustrates drivers. Gilbert Mons criticizes cyclist behavior, while Sandrine Demolie supports reduced traffic. Alderman Filip Watteeuw faces criticism from Mayor Mathias Declercq.
The Gentbrugge bridge is causing a lot of problems for people who don’t like the new traffic plan that started in April. This plan blocks some roads to reduce traffic in neighborhoods, but it’s confusing and makes driving dangerous. Gilbert Mons from a local group says drivers are frustrated because they can’t go through to Sint-Amandsberg anymore, forcing them to take longer routes that lead to traffic jams and more pollution. At the Knip, drivers have to make a tricky turn, which is risky for trucks, and cyclists need to be careful too. The changes are making things worse instead of better.
What are the impacts of Ghent’s traffic circulation plan?
It has been said that not everyone is against the new traffic plan. Sandrine Demolie from the group Verenigde Straten Dampoortwijk says that some areas in Sint-Amandsberg and Gentbrugge had too much traffic, making the neighborhood less pleasant. A woman waiting at a bus stop on Gentbruggestraat mentioned that with the new changes, there’s much less traffic, allowing buses to get through more easily. A man living on Jan Delvinlaan, whose street now has diverted traffic, is also happy with the changes, joking that his old sign is no longer needed. He believes that if everyone followed the traffic rules, it would be safer. However, Gilbert Moens disagrees, stating that since the plan. cyclists have become reckless, making it more dangerous with all the cargo and electric bikes speeding by.
We are tired of the scaremongering
Sandrine Demolie (United Streets Dampoortwijk)
According to Alderman Filip Watteeuw (Groen), he needs to pay more attention to traffic rules and improve education for everyone on the road, including cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. He wants to make streets safer and reduce heavy traffic to improve life in neighborhoods with a new plan. However, he is getting criticism for being stubborn and not willing to talk, even from his coalition partner, Mayor Mathias Declercq (Open VLD). This has created tension about future alliances after the upcoming elections. Wies Callens from the Cyclists’ Union points out that while new plans can seem unfair to drivers, the focus should be on making streets safer for everyone. Supporters like Sandrine Demolie feel frustrated by the arguments, saying they don’t help anyone.
