Knokke introduces measures to stop overcrowding

The Belgian coastal resort of Knokke-Heist has introduced measures to improve the flow of tourists, focusing on traffic reduction, after recent problems with overcrowding.

Visitors and day-trippers will be encouraged to leave their vehicles in a car park on the outskirts of the town. The centre of the resort will be closed to incoming traffic on busy days. The police will also be called in to carry out random checks on motorists wishing to enter the town centre.

These new rules have been implemented to stop the problems seen earlier this month, when the coast was overrun with crowds, some 180,000 people were aiming to get to the coast and the city of Ostend had to completely shut its town centre.

“We were caught short,” Knokke-Heist mayor Cathy Coudyser told RTBF. “We were in the process of concocting a series of measures when 1 May arrived, and it turned out to be a very busy day for a whole range of reasons.

“A peak day in Knokke-Heist is comparable to a day at Tomorrowland,” she explained, noting that some 40,000 cars entered the town on 1 May.

“It’s mainly day-trippers looking for a parking space in the centre that cause traffic problems,” Coudyser added.

“We are also planning to set up temporary car parks near the station, with traffic officers stationed at the roundabout at the entrance to the city to guide people so that they know where to go.”

Between 12.30 and 17.00, some access roads to the centre will be partially closed. Anyone who does not have a valid reason for entering the city will be redirected to the relief car parks, Coudyser said.

“Residents and retailers will, of course, be able to continue entering the city,” she added.

The new plan will be evaluated as the season continues.