Great War memorial causes traffic chaos

Municipal authorities in Ypres, West Flanders, are looking into a solution to the major traffic disruption caused every evening as a result of the Last Post ceremony held under the Menin Gate in remembrance of the unidentified dead of the First World War.

According to city council member Philip Bolle, visitor numbers have already increased significantly this year, in the lead-up to the beginning of centenary commemorations, making it essential to take measures now.

The problem is that the Gate is a major access point to the centre of Ypres, as it stands at the top of Menenstraat, which continues to the Grote Markt. Every evening at 20.00 the road under the Gate is closed while ceremony takes place. Depending on the numbers of guests, that can be a closure of an hour or more.

Apart from the occupation during the Second World War, the Last Post ceremony has taken place under the Gate every evening without fail since 1928. On peak days, visitors number up to 1,000, with as many as 10 coaches parked on the main square. “We now see that not only are drivers unable to access Menenstraat but pedestrians are also unable to get through,” Bolle said.

Suggestions for tackling the problem include police monitoring the passageway from 19.30 to 20.30 every night or Menenstraat between the Gate and the Grote Markt becoming a pedestrian zone permanently.