It snowed heavily in many places in the province last night and this morning. Certainly in the region around Bruges and around Kortrijk there was quickly a large layer of snow. Also on the roads of course, with all its consequences. Katrien Kiekens, Roads and Traffic Agency: “People are surprised by the winter weather, but that is mainly due to slippery water. In many places in West Flanders, the temperatures on the ground have not fallen below freezing, and then there is little point in extensive driving. But we have driven out at specific points, including in Bruges and Pittem.”
Preventive spreading
Even in the early evening, the cycle paths in the Kortrijk region are still dangerously slippery. These are cleared as much as possible with a brush sweep.
In most cities, the gritting services are ready to turn out this evening and tonight. In Kortrijk, preventive spreading will take place tonight at 5 am, and the Roads and Traffic Agency is also monitoring the situation. “We have an extensive measuring system, road surface sensors and infrared cameras throughout the province. We monitor it from hour to hour. We spread as much as possible before it becomes slippery. We may know more in the late evening. Then we make our spreading decision, so that we can respond quickly and drive out before it becomes slippery.”