The potential of the Brussels-Scheldt Sea Canal as a sustainable and efficient means of transport is evident. The 15 partners request that it be investigated in the short term under what conditions efficient passenger transport can be achieved between the capital and the Rand.
In recent years, 15 Flemish and Brussels authorities joined forces to look for a new future for the old Buda business zone. The area had its heyday during the region’s industrial heyday, but today it is somewhat neglected. In the meantime, the municipality of Machelen, the city of Vilvoorde and Brussels developed rapidly as a particularly dense residential region with a significant percentage of residents commuting to and from the capital every day.
The potential of the Brussels-Scheldt Sea Canal as a sustainable and efficient means of transport is evident. This is proven daily for freight transport and during the summer months with the Waterbus for recreational and tourist use. The 15 partners of Buda+ (city of Vilvoorde, municipality of Machelen, City of Brussels, Province of Flemish Brabant, POM Flemish Brabant, OVAM, Department of Environment, Perspective Brussels, CityDev, Port of Brussels, Brussels Port Community, De Vlaamse Waterweg, VOKA, Chamber of However, Commerce Flemish Brabant, Beci) want a more ambitious use of the Sea Canal for passenger transport.
The 15 partners request that it be investigated in the short term under what conditions efficient passenger transport can be achieved between the capital and the Rand. This research should provide clarity about the desired speed and frequency of this transport, the cost price and the operating conditions.
The Vilvoorde-Brussels route will initially be considered. The distance from Asiat Park (Vilvoorde) to Metro IJzer (Brussels) is approximately 11 km. There may be options to sail even further on both sides.
Asiat Park is attractive as a starting and/or ending stop because of the possibility to use the dock. In Brussels it should be possible to sail at least as far as Center Pompidou (Metro IJzer), where there is currently already a stop. On this route there are opportunities to use/develop stops on different sides of the canal: Neder-Over-Heembeek, Vilvoorde center, Schaerbeek (Vorming), Grimbergen, Tour&Taxis, etc. The number of additional stops can be viewed based on the maximum speed that one wants to maintain on the route.
The 15 partners within Buda+ drew their inspiration from existing practices in Belgium and abroad, for example in their own country with passenger transport over water in Antwerp, organized by the Maritime Services and Coastal Agency of the Flemish Government.
A high-performance fast water bus connection for passenger transport between the Rand and the capital will also be essential as a less nuisance measure in the context of the works on the Ring. The works on the Vilvoorde viaduct and the R0 would take approximately 8 years. “Today we already live in the most traffic jam-prone region in the country and are heading for a real traffic jam. The economic and environmental damage this will cause is enormous, as is the problem of cut-through traffic. In our opinion, the Flemish government, together with local authorities, should do everything it can to provide sustainable traffic options. A fast water bus between the capital and the Rand is one of them”, said mayor of Vilvoorde, Hans Bonte.
The partners of Buda+ will also ask for support from the major developers in the region.
Tags: BUDA partners Flemish government work short term fast efficient Waterbus commuting BrusselsScheldt Sea Canal
