Brussels Mobility has unveiled plans for Avenue du Parc, providing images of how it will look after planned renovations. Residents can provide feedback on the plans from Monday.
Avenue du Parc – a key road between Barrière de Saint-Gilles and Parc de Forest – is frequently affected by traffic as seven of the main roads in the area lead onto it. It will soon be completely redeveloped to improve road safety for all users in the area, as well as reducing the number of cars to improve the quality of the public space.
Both the street itself and the Barrière in the middle of the neighbourhood will become car-free as part of the Good Move plan. Brussels Minister for Mobility Elke Van den Brandt called it an important redevelopment on the way to making the neighbourhood car-free.
"It will allow for faster public transport, safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians and a smoother traffic flow for local traffic thanks to measures to reduce through traffic."
One-way traffic and separate cycling lanes
Cyclists and pedestrians will benefit greatly from the changes as pavements will be widened and the roadway narrowed to prevent two cars from driving next to each other at the intersection. This is currently one of the main causes of accidents at the Barrière intersection.
Cyclists will be protected on separate cycle lanes on the most dangerous sections of the road, such as the uphill stretch between Rochefort and Avenue du Clémentine at the Parc du Forest end and at the bottleneck area when approaching Barrière.
They will share the lane with cars on the rest of the avenue, which will be designed as a "bicycle street" where motorised traffic is limited to 30 km/h and is not allowed to overtake cyclists.
Illustration shows plans for the Bareel de Saint-Gilles. Credit: Brussels Mobility
At the Barrière itself, tram tracks will cross through the middle of the intersection. Between the intersection and Rue de la Perche, Avenue du Parc will be made one way towards Rochefort. This, and the relocation of the current tram stops, will allow the pavements to be widened and a cycle track to be constructed.
Finally, public transport stops will be redesigned for better accessibility and the worn-out tram tracks will be replaced by public transport operator STIB. Public transport will be able to flow more smoothly thanks to the one-way system on Chaussée de Waterloo, Rue de l'Hôtel des Monnaies and Avenue du Parc.
Better quality of life
Aside from improving safety, the project also aims to make the area more liveable. Greenery will be added where possible, including on Avenue du Parc, where two new rows of trees will be planted along the pavements, creating a green connection between the two key Saint-Gilles sites.
The plan also includes measures for stormwater management: efficient rainwater management systems will be installed to slow rainwater runoff into the valley. Rain gardens will be created to improve water penetration and crops that are planted will be diversified.
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These plans mark the first step towards several one-way traffic loops on the Barrière to reduce through traffic in Saint-Gilles.
From 24 September, the plans for the redevelopment will be open to public scrutiny until 23 October. An information evening for residents will take place on 11 October at 18:00 at Les Filles de Marie school. Residents will also be consulted in the coming weeks about the new traffic plan for Saint-Gilles in November.
