Transhipment center on the canal must take 25,000 trucks off the road

The towpath in Zwevegem has now been permanently interrupted for two weeks because family business Laebens Logistics is building a transshipment centre, an investment of 14 million euros. Niek Avet: “It is mainly for traffic between the port of Antwerp and the South West Flanders region. In the first year, we are aiming for 20,000 to 25,000 truck journeys between Antwerp and our region. We are already working to go even further. We have offered an electric ship to various customers so that transport by water can be even more sustainable.”

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Once the transshipment is operational, cyclists and walkers will have to take a detour every day. That already caused reactions on social media, but the intention is that it is well indicated. Local resident Claude Sablain (near the adjustable signpost in the photo below): has no problem with it: “I would like to point out that even beyond the lock, bicycle traffic is already obliged to go to the other bank in the canal zone in Harelbeke . On the other side of the bank there is also a beautifully closed cycle path. The Guldenspoorpad is also only 200 meters from here. I do think there are alternatives for cyclists.