The Flemish regional government in Belgium will begin compulsory purchases of properties along a controversial new highway, set to connect Northern France with the Netherlands. The road, under development for 30 years, has been the subject of local resistance and legal challenges between the Flemish government and residents that live along the route – many of whom will now lose their homes.
The local community, supported by Friends of The Earth Flanders, the local organisation ‘t Uilekot and Belgian social movements, have resisted the development on the grounds that other Belgian examples of this type of blinkered economic-driven development have led to increased road use, accidents and congestion, both private and industrial – with the associated environmental and health impacts.
Filip de Bodt from Friends of the Earth Belgium (Flanders and Brussels) said: “We’re demanding that priority be given to improving access for the local community, and improving the quality of life – this means space for cyclists, but also local farmers. Instead the government is bypassing community interests, and bulldozing local homes.”
The government plans to link the tunnel under the Westerschelde River in the south of the Netherlands with the Northern France. This will require redirecting traffic away from Antwerp, straightening and widening the N42, and redeveloping road connections to Gent.
Friends of the Earth Flanders is inviting people to submit an objection to the Flemish government. If you would like to do so, please contact Filip de Bodt: filip@climaxi.org
