Ventilus Izegem: Anger and also relief

In the vicinity of fifteen companies, the high voltage comes above ground, which previously threatened to leave in such a scenario. According to the report of the Flemish government, it cannot be done otherwise from a technical point of view. The subsoil here is clay and sandy loam and then drilling under is not possible, they would have to make a very wide trench and there is not enough space for that. Involte, which groups the companies, sees this decision as a political blow.

Ignace Vandewalle: “I refer back to the route taken by an earlier high-voltage line, Stevin, in Koolkerke. They went under the Boudewijn Canal there. Dug 14 meters wide at a depth of 32m. They went completely under the center of Koolkerke, that was all possible. But to go underground for a business park over 400m is apparently impossible. I find that where there is a will, there is also a way I find that there is no will here and no way will come. That is the outrageous thing.”

“There are almost 1200 people who work in that industrial zone in Izegem. That is a very bitter pill to swallow. What will you do? I will consult with the companies. In any case, there is still a public inquiry and other steps are also possible We are going to see what steps we need to take and we will also take them to guarantee the interests of the Izegem resident and the Izegem employee.”

Still relief

The mayor remains in favor of Ventilus underground. He is relieved with the more than 2 km underground construction in the De Mol residential area. The residents there are also relieved. Because the existing high-voltage line above their neighborhood will also disappear. Just like 147 kilometers of lines in West Flanders. They do sympathize with those affected: “We have been working on it from the start. We have already had a few sleepless nights. I feel sorry for the others, because it should actually be possible underground everywhere.”