From now on, a fine for those who enter the car-free center Blankenberge

So far, they got off without a fine, until now.

Clear signage

You see the motorists doubting at the entrance of Steenstraat: can I drive in here or not. However, the signage is clear. In July and August you are no longer allowed to enter the center of Blankenberge by car without a permit or special permission.

Hans Quaghebeur of the police: “We started on 1 July. That is why, in consultation with the city council, we have given people some time to get used to the new situation. We have not yet started handing out fines. That period is now We have been informing people for a month now. We now expect people to know the new situation, or most of them anyway.”

No more poles

People who live or work there are of course still allowed to drive into the center. Last year there were poles that obstructed the passage, but the city council now opts for ANPR cameras, cameras with number plate recognition.

Mayor Björn Prasse: “It was a conscious choice not to replace those poles. The cost to replace the retractable poles at each location was so high that the choice for the ANPR camera was the obvious choice. The cost is lower. and you can also use them for other security purposes.”

Hundreds of violations a day

On peak days, the ANPR cameras record several hundred violations. Because there are thousands of people walking and cycling around, that is really dangerous. “We’re not doing this for fun. This is a very busy shopping pedestrian street. It’s the main thoroughfare in the city, and all the people who want to get from the station to the beach have to go along that street.”

“We notice that despite our extensive awareness-raising, a few hundred cars a day still drive into the center. We want to reduce that to zero.”

And so hard-learned motorists can now expect a GAS fine of 58 euros.