Car-free weekend idea scrapped for Tour de France Grand Départ

Brussels has abandoned a plan to introduce a car-free weekend to mark the Tour de France Grand Départ in July.

The region had proposed to organise a two-day ban on motor vehicles on 6-7 July, but the idea met with opposition from police.

Brussels' six local police divisions refused, claiming they did not have enough staff.

The police zones said there was a shortage of officers during the holiday period to enforce the vehicle ban while also policing the activities around the Tour de France.

Hotels will be fully booked as the city hosts the first two days of the 2019 race, begining on 6 July with a 192km opening stage from Brussels to Charleroi and back.

Riders will leave the capital via Molenbeek and Anderlecht before passing through Enghien, Braine-le-Comte, Seneffe, Courcelles, Gosselies, Genappe, Waterloo and Overijse as they head back to the city centre via Laeken.

On 7 July there will be a time trial starting outside the Royal Palace, passing the Cinquantenaire park, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Auderghem, Watermael-Boitsfort, the Bois de la Cambre, ULB, Etterbeek, Montgomery and up to Van Praet, Laeken and an Atomium finish.