Flemish government scraps R8 reservation lane, ‘fantastic news’

The undeveloped strip of land, parallel to the E17, has been reserved since the 1970s to completely close the R8 ring road. The two ministers are now following the path of the city of Kortrijk: closing the ring road would have too negative an impact on the environment and quality of life. The undeveloped strip will now be laid out as a continuous green axis with a recreational function, bicycles and public transport will also be included in the redevelopment.

Alderman for Spatial Planning Wout Maddens: “After 60 years there is finally clarity: the R8 will not be extended on the reservation strip between Doorniksesteenweg and Mondayweg. Fantastic news for the hundreds of Kortrijk residents who live in the area. They are finally certain that there will be no ring road in their backyard. It has been our question for years: bring clarity. That is what ministers Lydia Peeters and Zuhal Demir of the Flemish government did today. In addition, the Flemish government is following our advice to redesignate the reservation strip for the R8 into a green axis of 1 kilometer. Instead of a ring road, it will have a recreational function with infrastructure for cyclists.”