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Action group asks for appeal of flight routes judgement
The group Actie Noordrand, which represents residents of the Flemish municipalities to the north of Brussels, has called on the federal government to take legal action against the recent court ruling in which a judge struck down two routes used by planes taking off from Brussels Airport.
The two routes, in force since last February, took departing aircraft over the capital: the first following the canal through Molenbeek and Anderlecht, and the second swinging southwest over Etterbeek, Oudergem/Auderghem and Watermaal-Bosvoorde/Watermael-Boitsfort. In the meantime, routes that lead planes over the Flemish areas north of the city remain in use.
According to Actie Noordrand, Brussels should share the burden of noise nuisance. At present, 42% of plans taking off and landing in Zaventem fly over the municipalities represented by Noordrand, such as Grimbergen, Meise and Wemmel, but that figure is due to go up when the two contested routes go out of service within the three-month deadline imposed by the court.
The group is calling for a solution “in which no single zone receives a concentration of overflights, and the situation remains liveable for everyone”.
Comments
What about the routes in Wallonie. we have aircraft taking off as well as landing throughout the summer and especially at Weekends. What is being done about that? Charles Michel please act and let's have some support from others living out here in the Wavre area.
Urban sprawl in Brussels' periphery will never lead to sustainable solutions. What Brussels (and Belgium) requires are courageous policies that favor urban residents, promote compact urban development, and sustain quality of life in cities.
Overflights routes shall be based on population density and avoid densely populated areas, as in any developed country. As of today, the Noordrand remains the less populated area... (even though the Flemmish Gov. has irresponsibly authorized new houses right below the flight routes...!)
About the figure you mention, it is important to distinguish between day and night, as well as between week and week-ends. It is true that Noordrand does receive many flights... but mostly at times when people are at work... in Brussels!
The old political generation used to consider that Brussels was empty on week-ends, and managed to direct flights through the center of Brussels (route "Chabert" or route du canal) on Saturday and Sunday, as well as evenings during week days.
Times have changed. Keeping massive overflights through Brussels city along the "canal route" can no longer be an option.