Environmental organisation Dryade is initiating a legal procedure at the Council of State against the expansion of the Brussels Ring. The spatial implementation plan for the northern route provides for a widening from 3 to 4 lanes. This will attract additional traffic and lead to higher emissions of nitrogen and greenhouse gases. The surrounding nature reserves are already overloaded. The plans will force them to absorb even more nitrogen. Moreover, the widening jeopardises the Flemish and federal climate ambitions.
Lifted over the elections
The Flemish government adopted the nitrogen decree at the end of the previous legislative term. In its advice, the Council of State was particularly critical of this. However, the Flemish government brushed these concerns aside and approved several important projects based on the decree before the elections, including the expansion of the Ring. It seems that the Flemish government wanted to avoid the elections being about nitrogen.
On the new government's plate
By filing an appeal against the widening of the Ring, Dryade aims to put nitrogen and climate back on the political agenda. “We call on the new government to rewrite the nitrogen decree in line with the comments from the Council of State. Only then can it provide legal certainty for new projects.”, says Dries Verhaeghe, director of Dryade.
The previous government was also insufficiently ambitious in terms of climate. The Climate Ruling of 30 November 2023, which imposes a 55% reduction in emissions compared to 1990, went unheeded. Projects that contribute to additional greenhouse gas emissions were still approved. The widening of the Ring also jeopardises the Flemish and federal climate ambitions.
Combatting rat-running
Dryade is not against the redesign of the Brussels Ring. The organisation supports the objective of directing rat-running from the surrounding municipalities via the Ring. However, the widening must not come at the expense of the surrounding natural areas and the climate. It is regrettable that the Flemish government failed to investigate the kilometre charge in the planning process, as such a charge could avoid the pull effect.
Crowdfunding
In collaboration with the Brussels city associations Inter-Environnement Bruxelles (IEB) and BRAL, the crowdfunding campaign "Stop the widening of the Brussels Ring" is underway. The current total is 1,200 euros, with a target of 4,000 EUR. Support our fight and donate to: www.dryade.info/brusselsering