The Belgian coastal city, Ostende, unveiled a new summer plan on Friday designed to manage crowds on warm, sunny days.
The city aims to streamline visitor flow with this plan, which includes two new outlying car parks. One facility, a park-and-bike with 140 spaces, allows visitors to park for free and cycle to the city centre using their own bikes via the Groene 62 route.
Additionally, there is a park-and-ride offering 450 parking spaces. This parking area is freely accessible on quieter days, allowing visitors to travel into the city centre using public transport.
During peak times, shuttle buses will transport visitors to the beach and city centre from the park-and-ride. These facilities will be operational from 1 July to 31 August and will align with the summer plan.
The city aims to prevent the closure of the city centre with its summer plan. Activation is based on precise indicators: coastal and inland weather forecasts and expected visitor numbers.
The summer plan is set in motion four days before an anticipated busy day, allowing ample time for preparation and notification of residents and visitors.
"This plan aims to balance the liveability for residents and ensure a quality experience for visitors, prioritising everyone’s comfort," says Mayor John Crombez (Vooruit).
