City of Kortrijk: ‘station must be more accessible and more modern’

Kortrijk station has now appeared on a European list of the seven most endangered heritage sites and monuments. The city understands the commitment of Europa Nostra and VVIA and their overall commitment to heritage.

“As a city, we try to deal wisely with our past, but without compromising the future. Kortrijk deserves a new, modern station that is accessible to everyone.”

Smooth connection

“The most important point is that the different modes of transport (pedestrian, bicycle, bus, train, car) are well coordinated. The traveler must be able to make the transfer as smoothly as possible between bus and train or from the underground car park or bicycle shed to the stations.”

“The knowledge we have today is completely different from what it was in 1956 when the current station was built, there are plenty of improvements to be made there alone.”

Accessible

According to the city, easy accessibility is also insufficient today. “For example, a wheelchair user is lucky if he can leave from track 1. Those who have to leave from another track must be physically placed over it.”

In addition, the city wants additional bicycle parking facilities, a bicycle repair point and other new services, such as a collection point for parcels and catering.

“Art is preserved”

“The old station will not disappear completely either,” the city assures. The works of art – the sculpture on the facade and the bas-relief in the ticket hall – are given a place in the new design.

Kortrijk hopes that Minister of Immovable Heritage Matthias Diependaele will take the arguments into account in his assessment of VVIA’s application to classify the station as a monument.