Traffic in the Belgian capital will be disrupted this week due to the European Union (EU) Summit held on Thursday and Friday.
EU leaders are meeting in Brussels on 26 and 27 June to discuss geo-economic challenges and ongoing developments in Ukraine and the Middle East. Other topics on the agenda include European defence, security and migration.
Due to the expected traffic disruptions, local police advise the use of public transport or soft mobility options, such as cycling, to travel around the area. The Brussels' public transport network and access to the EU quarter will be impacted.
Security perimeter
The Reyers Tunnel towards the city centre will be closed from 08:00 on Thursday. From 9:30, a security perimeter will be in place around Schuman.
The security perimeter will apply to the Schuman roundabout, Rue Froissart from number 101 to 143, as well as Rue de la Loi between the Schuman roundabout and the Residence Palace and Le Boulevard Charlemagne.
Overview of safety zone/security perimeter. Credit: Brussels-Capital Ixelles police zone.
Access to within the secured area will be granted to those on foot who live or work in the area, upon presentation of proof of identity and a printed pass. Access pass applications had to be requested by 20 June.
Official delegations accredited by the Council, emergency services vehicles and police-accredited vehicles can access the safety zone.
Notably, the safety zone will not be accessible for deliveries. Bicycles, rubbish bags and outdoor seating cannot be placed outside within the perimeter. Additionally, all windows within the zone must remain closed for security reasons.
Circulation plan. Credit: Brussels-Capital Ixelles police zone.
Local traffic will be allowed on several streets in the area without needing a pass. These are namely:
- Rue Archimède (between Rue Stevin and the Schuman roundabout).
- Avenue de Cortenbergh (between Rue Stevin and the Schuman roundabout, with limited access during escorts).
- Rue de la Loi (between avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée and the Schuman roundabout).
- Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée.
- Avenue d’Auderghem (between Rue de la Loi and the Schuman roundabout).
- Rue Breydel.
- Rue Froissart (between Rue Juste Lipse and the Rue Belliard), and Rue Juste Lipse.
Additionally, parking will be forbidden during the summit within the security perimeter, the streets where only local traffic is allowed, on the routes taken by the delegations, on Chaussée d’Etterbeek (between Rue Belliard and Rue Van Maerlant), on Rue Van Maerlant and on Rue Belliard (between chaussée d’Etterbeek and avenue d’Auderghem)
Public transport disruption
During the summit, the Schuman metro station will remain open. However, entrances number 6 (to Rue Froissart), 7 and 8 (Rue Archimède and Schuman) will be closed from 07:00 on Thursday. Entrances number number 4 (Residence Palace), and 5 (Justus Lipsius) will also be closed from 07:00.
Entrances to the railway station at Berlaymont side will remain open. Those with reduced mobility can access the station at Rue de la Loi next to the Lex building.
Metro Station Schuman. Credit: Belga/Paul-Henri Verlooy
Bus lines 59 and 60 in the direction Bordet Station and Ambiorix will be diverted between Natation, Varia and Maelbeek via the avenue du Maelbeek.
The bus line 80 in the direction Porte de Namur is diverted between Leman and Jourdan via the Rue Belliardstraat. The bus 37 (direction Luxembourg) and 36 (direction Maelbeek) are diverted around the Froissart stop.
