Halle – The “Our A8, Our Voice” committee in Halle, led by Wouter Janssens, is opposing the expropriation of more than 20 homes, three businesses, and a football field in Essenbeek for temporary works on the A8 motorway, reports 24brussels.
The committee has initiated a campaign against the planned takeover of properties in Essenbeek, launching an online petition that has garnered nearly 800 signatures to date.
Wouter Janssens, a founding member of the committee, emphasized the community’s unity demonstrated at a recent food festival. Residents are rallying to preserve their neighborhood, insisting the struggle transcends individual properties, focusing instead on maintaining the identity of Essenbeek.
“A good 1,000 people came to dinner,”
said Janssens.
“We also received hundreds of messages from people who were on vacation but still wanted to support us.”
Community Response to A8 Expropriations
Janssens, representing local residents, expressed frustration with the management approach taken by De Werkvennootschap regarding the expropriations.
“The residents of Halle are outraged by how De Werkvennootschap is handling the case in Essenbeek. We are now extending that support with our petition,”
Janssens stated.
“We continue to find it absurd that the lives of dozens of families in Essenbeek would be permanently destroyed for a temporary solution,”
he added.
“That’s completely disproportionate.”
Despite not being directly involved in the expropriation process, the Halle city council has requested a further investigation by De Werkvennootschap to clarify the situation. Engineers are scheduled to provide an update to the city council on August 26, 2025.
A public information session has been set for Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Heilig-Hart & College, running from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This event aims to offer residents the opportunity to ask questions, receive updates, and gain a clearer understanding of the expropriation process.
In early June 2025, residents were informed that portions of their homes, garages, or gardens could be subject to expropriation. Over 20 homes, three businesses, and a football field are expected to be partially or fully expropriated to facilitate construction and manage temporary traffic diversions.
Residents swiftly organized a response, with neighbors hosting a spaghetti dinner two weeks prior to fund legal support. This situation has intensified the ongoing tension between infrastructure development and private property rights, as families strive to protect their homes and community.
The Flemish government is progressing with plans to transform the A8 into a full motorway. This initiative aims to eliminate intersections controlled by traffic lights, which are frequent accident sites and significant sources of congestion. Enhancements to traffic flow are expected from this project, which also includes the removal of several on- and off-ramps along the A8, ultimately contributing to a more efficient roadway for motorists.
