Melle (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The towpath along the Scheldt between Wetteren and Ghent is closed for repairs at the Melle pumping station, expected to last 8 weeks. Bastiaan Nor from East Flanders reported delays due to damaged pump parts.
The towpath from Wetteren to Ghent along the Scheldt has been closed since mid-December 2024. According to authorities, this is due to some important repair work at the pumping station of Melle. Workers are taking apart the pumps one by one. They send them to a special company for service and then put them back.
According to officials, this work would take about 8 weeks, but it might take longer if there are problems or bad weather. They mentioned that these repairs are needed to keep the pumping station working well for water management and flood prevention.
What are the impacts of the Melle pumping station repairs on the bike path and flood safety?
To keep water safe during the repairs, the province has set up a temporary pumping system. They mentioned that this system helps move water from a nearby stream to the Scheldt. It controls water levels and prevents flooding, especially in Melle.
According to the province, the temporary pipes are large and run outside the pumping station and across the cycle path, so the path is closed for safety. The pipes go over the dike to let water flow into the Scheldt. They mentioned that this closure is inconvenient for cyclists and walkers, but it is important for public safety.
This installation transports the water over the dike to the Scheldt, which guarantees water safety in the area around Melle. Due to the size of these pipes, it was necessary to temporarily close the towpath,”
the province said.
One pump at the pumping station has been repaired and replaced. The 2nd pump is being checked and fixed now. During the inspection, workers found that a part of the pump was damaged. This has made the repair process more difficult.
According to Bastiaan Nore, a spokesperson for the province of East Flanders, the replacement part is not available right away. The team is looking to see if they can get the part from another place.
During the check, a part of the pump appeared to be damaged,
says Bastiaan Nore.
De Vlaamse Waterweg states that the maintenance work will take at least 2 or more months. He mentioned that this delay is mainly because they need to find the damaged part or have it custom-made, which adds extra time to the repair process.
