The reason for the measured measures was the extended weekend of 1 May, when around 40,000 vehicles drove towards Knokke-Heist. The police had to intervene in 150 incidents. “That day our seaside town seemed like a festival site,” says Mayor Cathy Coudyser. “But just as you can’t drive to the meadow at Tomorrowland, visitors to us must also understand that you sometimes have to walk a bit.”
The new action plan activates a so -called discharge perceter With extreme bustle, between 12.30 and 5 pm. Access roads to the center are then partly closed. Only residents, emergency services, suppliers and customers can still get through. Others are diverted to peripheral car parks via digital screens or police supervision.
“It makes no sense to add cars when it is full, but then people continue to drive around. Frustrated because they don’t find parking and is not on the beach yet. Then I invite everyone to park on the edge to go 3 or four km on foot to the beach,” said Cathy Coudyser.