Linkebeek station to close as commune rejects building of extra rail lines

Linkebeek railway station is slated to shut down following a narrow vote from the local council to reject the building of additional rail lines, leaving many commuters in the lurch.

For more than 20 years, Infrabel has had plans to run more regular and faster trains to and from Brussels on the Regional Express Network (RER), which requires doubling the number of train tracks from two to four on several routes to allow fast trains to not be held up behind slower stopping trains.

Part of the infrastructure work for the RER project in and around Brussels has already been completed. Work is continuing mainly between Brussels and Ottignies (line 161) and between Brussels and Nivelles (line 124), where several sections have already been inaugurated, but construction in Linkebeek came to a standstill after fierce resistance to the expansion.

Faced with this resistance, rail infrastructure manager Infrabel scrambled to form a compromise. Only the two tracks could be retained for at least the next 12 years over a distance of 700 metres, but Linkebeek station would have to no longer be served as a result.

With plans for a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge several hundred metres long, commuters would need to instead travel to Moensberg station in Uccle and catch the train there.

Alderman for mobility Jonathan Biermann (MR) said he "takes note" of the compromise approved by the Linkebeek municipal council on Monday evening and promises measures to limit the inconvenience for residents.

Biermann said that while local residents and pupils of the Royal Athenaeum Uccle 2 will face a longer travel time, there was also an upside: “Within two years, line 124 will continue to Moensberg, with two extra S-trains. That’s a clear added value for the neighbourhood.”

The municipality wants to work with Infrabel to build the cycling and pedestrian bridge "as soon as possible" between the current car park at Linkebeek station and Moensberg station.

The closure of the stop is expected around 2028, when line 124 reaches Moensberg.

The municipal council approved the principle of the plans at the end of March and the final version this week by a narrow majority - seven in favour, six against and one abstention). Mayor Yves Ghequiere (LB) voted against the plans both times.

This latest approval paves the way for the start of work, with the aim of completing it by 2033.

“We are pleased with this important step and will continue to work with all parties to conclude the agreement as soon as possible,” Infrabel said of the vote in a statement.

There were three legal appeals against the plans lodged with the Council of State. Following the approval by the municipal council on Monday evening, the municipality will withdraw its own.

The other two appeals were filed by the RER A630 residents’ collective and an individual citing community and linguistic reasons. Though the approved proposal from Infrabel was intended to encourage them to withdraw these, many remain unhappy with the planned closure of their neighbourhood station.

“We think it's a shame and really complicated,” one resident told RTBF.

“To take the train, we have to go to either Linkebeek or Rhode-Saint-Genese. Going all the way to Uccle Moensberg is complicated. The closure of the station really doesn't suit us. For many people, it was only a five-minute walk, but now it's much further. Overall, it’s a very negative decision.”

Ruby and Sheera, two sisters who moved to the neighbourhood a year ago, also expressed disappointment.

“I think the plan to switch to four tracks was a very good idea, but for now we're still waiting a really long time for our train,” said Ruby.

“It's really difficult to get around the neighbourhood, but I understand the residents,” Sheera said.

“I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. It’s unpleasant to live with the construction work.”

Commuter François said that while he would not be directly affected by the construction work, he laments the loss for public transport.

“I live a 15-minute walk away, so I can't judge the nuisance,” François said.

“I only enjoy the benefits without the inconvenience. Still, I would have preferred the project to go ahead to promote public transport and greener travel for the people of Brussels.”