Mayor threatens to close Botanique tunnel over safety concerns

The railings overlooking the Botanique tunnel on both sides are in poor condition and threaten to fall on vehicles using the tunnel. The mayor of Saint-Josse, Emir Kir, announced on Tuesday that he would close the tunnel if the Brussels region, which is responsible for the necessary repair work, does not intervene within 48 hours.

On 27 July, the services of the City of Brussels informed the municipality of the risk of the railings falling into the road below. The technical report showed that a simple push on the railings, located both on the side of the Boulevard du Jardin Botanique and on the side of the Rue Royale, could result in the dislodging and consequent fall of the metal barriers.

The mayor's office claims to have immediately contacted Brussels Mobility but as yet, this call has failed to result in any concrete action. The municipal services have therefore installed a device of their own, preventing access to the railings.

The municipality immediately sent a letter of formal notice addressed to the region's mobility and public works ministry, to request that work to stabilise the guardrails be undertaken within 24 hours of receipt of the mail and that permanent security work be carried out within 30 days.

According to the municipality, the situation has not changed since then. That is why Emir Kir asked on Tuesday that the region begin the necessary work within 48 hours. Otherwise, the mayor explained that he would be forced to adopt a police order imposing the temporary closure of the tunnel.