Chance of southwestern part of Ring Tielt one step closer

The 18 municipalities of the Midwest transport region have agreed to a study in the regional mobility plan. They also want to keep heavy traffic out of the village centers.

Already in the regional plan from the 1970s, a strip has been reserved for a connecting road between the N37 or the ring road around Tielt and the N399, the Meulebeeksesteenweg (see photo). The municipality of Pittem held off for a long time, but a study has now been included in the recently finalized mobility plan of the Midwest transport region, which consists of 18 municipalities. Luc Vannieuwenhuyze, mayor of Tielt: “Of course we are very satisfied with that. There were indeed different ideas about this, but now we have reached a consensus through the regional transport council.”

All centers liveable, including Staden

The new road should relieve the center of Tielt. And the transport region wants to keep all centers liveable. For example, there will be extra signage to keep heavy traffic away from the N36 through Staden. Niels Verdonck, Department of Mobility/Public Works: “If that proves to be insufficient, agreements have been made in the region, together with the Westhoek region, to enforce it. Hard measures are, for example, speed limits or a tonnage limit.”

Staden recently wanted to introduce a ban on heavy traffic itself, but that was not met by the traders. The 15 transport regions in Flanders were established in 2019, and they have all gradually completed their mobility plan. “They are important because we have tried to make a plan until 2050. The plan will actually be the guideline for the coming years.”

The regional plan is still under public scrutiny anyway.