Construction of new sea lock continues to cause turmoil

Just last week, the Flemish government organized an information event for the neighbourhood. But many have lost confidence. They fear that they will mainly suffer loss if they are expropriated, and they are tired of the lack of clarity.

For example, Joerie Sarrazyn has had enough after the umpteenth information meeting that doesn’t help him. His house in the Venice Avenue is eligible for demolition. After all these years that the sea lock file has been running, he would like to know where he finally stands. The government continues to blow fog, he says. “Precisely as if they want to give as little information as possible. You really have to drag it out step by step. Can’t they really provide proper guidance for those few people who are being expropriated?”

What about damage?

The same dissatisfaction a little further down the Kustlaan. Rick and Carine can continue to live there. About three hundred meters from the planned sea lock and in the stench of the ship’s engines. Their nest egg will soon be worth nothing, they fear. Carine Hulst: “It is almost paid off and it still has something of value. But who will want that later? Certainly no one for the first ten years, not as long as those works last. Afterwards, perhaps, if we already have no damage to the house. The state doesn’t care about any of that.”

In the meantime, the house price in the Stationswijk has collapsed. A bad thing for owners who want to leave. Because recent sales are a reference for the price you get for expropriation.