Ypres – Residents of Brielen, Elverdinge, and Woesten near Ypres have expressed significant concerns regarding traffic levels on the N8 road. Participatory walks led by Danny Venus from the agency Involved are gathering feedback on issues related to safety, cycling, and road design; decisions on how to address these issues are anticipated within 2–3 years, reports 24brussels.
As VRT News reports, locals argue that the N8 is too narrow for the volume of vehicles it accommodates, resulting in constant noise and vibrations. Cyclists face considerable hazards due to the absence of protected bike lanes, relying instead on painted lines that offer minimal safety. Parents have voiced concerns, stating they will not permit their children to cycle to school.
Community Actions Addressing N8 Traffic Concerns
Construction is currently underway on sections of the N8, but residents contend that this work addresses only minor issues, overlooking the broader traffic challenges. The regional road continues to facilitate traffic at levels akin to motorway conditions, intensifying pressure on local communities. Participation experts, including Danny Venus, acknowledge the severity of the situation in Brielen, Elverdinge, and Woesten.
For years, initiatives aimed at diverting heavy trucks from Brielen and surrounding villages have faltered. Plans for a bypass or ring road have been proposed but have not progressed due to high costs. Frustrated residents are growing weary of the lack of change.
“I have lived here for 30 years and nothing changes,”
said resident Geert Degraeve.
“Cars drive too fast, there are too many trucks, and it is not safe to cycle here.”
Degraeve further emphasized that a bypass would not provide a feasible solution due to its high cost, noting that potato trucks constitute a significant part of the problem. According to him, these trucks could utilize the Poperinge ring road or the Diksmuidseweg, rather than passing through the village.
Two additional participatory walks are scheduled to take place in Elverdinge and Woesten, focusing on schools, road crossings, and cycling infrastructure, providing residents with a platform to voice their experiences.
“We visited different places and asked people about their village,”
added Danny Venus from Involved.
Degraeve further remarked,
“The design needs to be changed. Either they create a decent sidewalk with a parking curb and a bike path where possible. This narrows the street so that heavy traffic can no longer pass through.”
“The houses can’t be moved. We might need to think more broadly. Could we have one-way traffic? That way, we’ll have nice bike paths with more greenery and hedges in the streets.”
The insights gathered will be incorporated into a broader citizen survey that also includes input from cycling groups, farmers, and local businesses. Officials caution that the project is complex due to the multitude of interests involved, with decisions expected within 2 to 3 years.
The debate regarding the N8 has persisted since the 1990s when discussions commenced about whether to extend the A19 motorway from Kortrijk to the coast or upgrade the regional road. By the early 2000s, the Flemish government opted against building the motorway extension, leaving the N8 as the primary route for all traffic.
A definitive agreement to undertake renovations on the N8 was only reached in 2018, following years of delay, leaving Brielen, Elverdinge, and Woesten to grapple with escalating traffic issues for over two decades. On September 1, 2024, officials initiated a citizen survey to gather public opinions on the matter.
