Tunnels should go, says Brussels' former mobility minister

A proposal by Bruno De Lille of opposition party Groen to close the Brussels tunnels within 10 years has been described as “too ridiculous for words” by the motoring organisation Touring.

The Brussels tunnel network has been experiencing problems, with the Leopold II tunnel closed recently because of falling masonry and the Stephanie tunnel now closed for a year for urgent repairs. De Lille, who was secretary of state for mobility in the previous Brussels-Capital Region government, has now produced a 10-point plan to create an alternative to the tunnels.

His proposals include the completion as quickly as possible of the regional express rail network, improvements to the service provided by the Brussels public transport authority MIVB and the creation of car-pool parking facilities on the edge of the capital, where motorists could take a shuttle into the city.

“In recent years, there has not been a single step forward in working out a good mobility plan for Brussels,” said Touring spokesperson Danny Smagghe. “I don’t see how this new 10-point plan represents a breakthrough. I’m getting a strong feeling of déjà-vu.”

“We need a plan supported by everyone,” De Lille countered. “Over the next 10 years the tunnels are going to cost easily €1 billion. Where is that money going to come from? And why spend it on tunnels that do nothing to solve the mobility problems? There are better investments available.”

Photo: Eugenio Merzagora/Structurae.net