The railing of a bridge over the Brussels ring road in very poor condition has remained broken as local authorities argue they are unable to carry out the repairs, even as residents worry that it may lead to a "catastrophe," according to reports.
"Whoever leans against it falls down," a resident of the nearby town of Wemmel said, according to Bruzz, adding: "We reported this to the municipality months ago, but nothing has changed."
The bridge crosses over the Brussels ring road over Wemmel's Panoramastraat, located to the north of the municipality of Laeken.
Some parts of the railing have already fallen down, according to the Dutch-language outlet.
"If cars drive under it at a speed of 120 kilometres per hour, it can be catastrophic," the resident said, asking whether it would take an accident to prompt authorities to start the repairs.
Wemmel mayor Walter Vansteenkiste told Bruzz that local authorities are aware of the problem and that they had reported it to the competent authority with little success.
"We have been reporting the problem for years to the Agency for Roads and Traffic," he said. "But nothing has changed."
The mayor argued that the agency, not the municipality, is the body competent for the maintenance of the bridge.
"We will continue to raise this problem at every meeting," the mayor added.
Gabriela Galindo
The Brussels Times
