Kontich (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Kontich plans a new road linking Satenrozen industrial zone to the N171 to cut truck traffic near homes. Mayor Bart Seldeslachts supports it; public feedback open until August 9, 2025.
As VRT News reported, in Kontich, a municipality in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, a traffic problem near the Satenrozen industrial zone is getting solved. The first plan for the new road got many complaints. It was too close to homes on Keizershoek, Oever and Pierstraat.
People were afraid of more noise and trouble. Because of this, the plan was stopped for a while. The town looked for a better idea that would help both the companies and the people. Later, a private developer gave land to build the road further from the houses. This new plan made both the town and the neighbours happy.
“I think this is a good solution, both for businesses and for the neighbourhood. There will be less disruption, and residents will be able to cross the street more safely with fewer trucks,”
Says Mayor Seldeslachts.
What will Kontich’s new Satenrozen road mean for locals?
At a recent meeting in Kontich, officials from the Roads and Traffic Agency and the local council revealed the latest plans for a new access road to the Satenrozen industrial zone. They stated the purpose of the meeting was simply for information and to address its residents, but some areas remain unsettled.
One local, Luc, said that while the road could help keep trucks away from homes, it might also bring extra traffic.
“We’re concerned about the impact of the additional through traffic the road will bring, and there’s no plan for that yet,”
He said. He feels that the current plan doesn’t fully deal with this problem.
Another resident, Peter, shared an opinion. He said that while it’s hard to make everyone happy, the project is a step forward. Peter also said the Satenrozen site is very important for the local economy in Kontich.
He thinks that better roads to the industrial area could lead to the creation of jobs and draw more businesses. A spokesperson mentioned that individuals still have their opportunity to weigh in on the proposal. The public inquiry is open until August 9, 2025.
“It’s difficult to please everyone. Everyone has their reservations, of course,”
Peter said.
“But for me, the glass is half full. There’s a solution that has already overcome several hurdles. And now everyone can calmly review the plan and figure out how it can work.”
DHL opened a site there in 2016. The problems began. Trucks began flowing through (sometimes up to 200 trucks an hour) surrounding neighbourhoods, creating noise, congestion, and safety issues for residents. The residents were constantly making complaints.
In 2019, the town and the mayor, Bart Seldeslachts (N-VA), met with residents to find a solution. They all agreed that a new road was needed. This road would go from the industrial zone straight to the N171, a nearby main road. The mayor mentioned that the goal was to keep the heavy truck traffic away from the homes and make life better for the people living there.
