Last week saw strong protests following the introduction of the Good Move circulation plan in the Schaerbeek municipality of Brussels. The council has consequently decided to pause the roll-out of the plan and consult with residents of the Cage-aux-Ours neighbourhood.
While the police are still conducting an investigation to identify "the perpetrators of looting and troublemakers" during the two consecutive evenings of protests, Schaerbeek announced a participatory process with the district's residents and stakeholders.
"Residents have shown a willingness to participate in the process. The council welcomes this new impetus for citizen participation. A second participatory process will be organised," the authorities said in a press release. This aims to draw up a new proposal for a circulation plan which should be submitted by March 2023.
Good Move not up for discussion
While the mobility plan remains in force in the Schaerbeek districts of Quartier Royale Sainte Marie and Azalea, the municipal services are for now lifting the implemented fixtures in Cage-aux-Ours to restore peace in the neighbourhood. "The main online and navigation (GPS) apps have also been informed to update the maps in the district."
The municipality took the opportunity to reiterate the plan's aims to reduce through traffic, improve the balance between different transport modes, increase safety (including around schools), make public transport more efficient, and ensure the accessibility of businesses in the district.
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To achieve these goals, residents will be solicited by letter, Schaerbeek city councillor for Mobility Adelheid Byttebier told Bruzz. "We are asking people who want to participate in how the circulation plan is implemented to make themselves known. However, the principles of Good Move – less car traffic and more healthy air – are not up for discussion."
Still, certain accompanying measures would be possible, Byttebier said. "We know that there are people against the plan, but we also know that many schools, associations and residents had great expectations when it was introduced."
