Etten-Leur has taken the neighboring municipality of Breda to court to prevent the trial with the rush-hour closure in Prinsenbeek from going ahead on Monday. The municipality hopes that the case will be brought before the court in Breda this weekend.
“We understand that the Municipality of Breda wants to take steps for the residents of Prinsenbeek to relieve the village of traffic congestion. But we still regret that the Municipality of Breda wants to continue the pilot in its current form,” the municipal executive of Etten-Leur said in a statement.
“The municipality of Etten-Leur believes it is crucial that further consultation takes place. The concerns we have about the impact of this pilot on our residents and road safety have not changed,” the municipal council notes. “To prevent irreversible situations on Monday, the municipality of Etten-Leur has asked the judge to look into this and we regret that this step is necessary.”
Neighboring municipalities of Breda, including Etten-Leur and Moerdijk, have major problems with blocking off Prinsenbeek during the morning rush hour. For example, motorists who want to go to Breda have to make a serious detour. The closure of the Leursebaan between Etten-Leur and Breda in particular did not go down well with many motorists. The residents objected en masse and Etten-Leur threatened legal measures. That step has now been taken.
What does the rush hour closure consist of?
Breda wants to close Prinsenbeek to through traffic for the first time on Monday between seven and nine in the morning. Cameras at four access roads then check the license plates of vehicles entering and leaving the village. Drivers who do not have an exemption will be fined 120 euros.
According to Breda, the measure is necessary because previous traffic analyzes have shown that half of the traffic in Prinsenbeek passes through the village, but does not have to be there, so it is through traffic. As a result, the quality of life deteriorates and construction cannot take place.