As well as the special European Summit next week, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg are paying a state visit and farmers will once again be protesting, meaning traffic disruption is expected over several days in Brussels.
Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, the nephew of former Belgian King Albert II, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa will pay a two-day state visit to Belgium next week, during which they will visit Ghent, Liège and Brussels. The programme will begin in the Belgian capital on 16 April with a ceremonial reception.
The City of Brussels/Ixelles police zone expects heavy traffic disruptions in the capital on Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 next week due to their visit. "All of the couple's movements will be accompanied by traffic interruptions," the police noted.
Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium (Left) and Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
Especially on Tuesday, traffic disruptions can be expected in the vicinity of Warande Park, Palace Square, Rue Royale and Rue Ducale. "The police will make every effort to keep traffic disruption to an absolute minimum, but we do ask people to avoid this area by car. Parking will be prohibited in the entire area from the morning and parked vehicles will be towed."
Brussels residents and people coming to the capital on these days have been asked to use public transport or bicycles as much as possible in this area.
Stib on Monday 15 April stated that the visit would also lead to disturbances to the public transport network on Tuesday morning, specifically during the welcome ceremony in the Palace Square. From 8:30 to 12:30, trams 92 and 93 will be interrupted between Botanique and Louise. "Connection between these two stops will be ensured by Metro 2 and 6." Meanwhile, the Troon stop will not be served by buses 38, 71 and 95.
Farmers and EU summit
On Tuesday, another farmer's protest is expected to take place in Brussels. However, the police confirmed to The Brussels Times that there will be no tractors and that traffic disruption as a result of this action should be limited.
However, the police did warn that a special European summit will take place on Wednesday and Thursday – less than a month after the previous one. These summits always result in disruption to traffic due to security measures in the European Quarter in Brussels, specifically around the EU Council buildings.
"The Schuman perimeter will be closed from 11:00 as well as the Reyer Tunnel towards the city centre," the police said.
STIB noted that the Schuman metro station at the heart of the EU institutions will remain open but that the access to Rue Froissart, Rue Archimède and the Schuman roundabout will be closed from 07:00 on Wednesday 17 April until Thursday 18 April. The entrances to the Schuman SNCB railway station (Berlaymont side) will remain open.
