The Besterdring in Tilburg will be a 30-kilometer zone this autumn. The municipality intervenes after a fatal accident at the end of May, in which a pedestrian was hit by a car. At the moment you can still drive at 50 kilometers per hour through the street.
Actually, the Besterdring just outside the center of the city would only be tackled in 2025 and get a complete makeover. That was two years earlier than originally planned. The redesign should make the shopping street more attractive and safer.
“Road safety can’t wait.”
A fatal accident in which 66-year-old Gerard died at the end of May means that alderman Rik Grashof is already taking measures at the Besterdring. “Traffic safety cannot wait for the redesign, as has been shown.”
The Besterdring is a busy main road with many shops, pedestrians, cyclists, parking spaces and side streets. This creates dangerous situations and, according to the municipality, too many accidents occur. Complaints have been made about speeding drivers from the neighborhood for a long time.
“We are very happy with this.”
The death of the man walking his dog sparked outrage in the neighborhood and calls for quick action. “We are very pleased that the municipality intervenes so quickly,” says Henk de Graaf on behalf of entrepreneurs’ association Besterd.
At the same time as the lower speed limit, the municipality is also installing speed bumps. “We still have to discuss this with bus operator Arriva and the emergency services,” says Grashoff.
The times of the traffic light at the pedestrian crossing will be adjusted immediately, so that it also works on Sundays, during nighttime hours and when the bus is running.
“Curious if this will also work in the future.”
The complete refurbishment of the Besterd is still planned for 2025. “The accelerated measures are good for now, but we are curious whether they will still suffice in the future,” says chairman De Graaf of the entrepreneurs’ association.
“The Besterdring is the access road to the district and when the Spoorzone becomes busier in a few years and the Cityring of Tilburg is car-free, I’m curious whether it will still work.”
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