Cars banned inside Cinquantenaire park from January

Brussels' Cinquantenaire park will become a little bit greener from January - with cars banned from the central square for at least three years.

The ban means it should, in theory, be possible to walk from one end of the park to the other without having to cross a car park.

However several vehicles will be exempt from the new rules, including those belonging to museum staff, emergency services, park wardens, building contractors, plus tourist coaches and visitors to the museums who require disabled parking access.

Belgium's federal buildings agency, the Régie des Bâtiments, has taken the decision because of extensive repair works to the roofs of the Art and History Museum, Autoworld and the Army Museum.

The three museums and the municipalities of Brussels and Etterbeek have all given their backing. The car ban from January 2020 aims to ensure that the works can continue safely.

Major events can still be organised on the esplanade, by the Triumphal Arch, subject to approval from the buildings agency, which will make the decision on a case-by-case basis depending on the progress of the building works.