Major change coming to pedestrian zone at De Brouckère

Brussels' pedestrian zone is set to undergo radical change next month, when car traffic will again be allowed in Avenue Emile Max, in the direction of Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups. In the short term, the pedestrianised zone at Place de Brouckère will become smaller, as Avenue Emile Max opens to one-way traffic and more space for parking.

Brussels mayor Yvan Mayeur and aldermen Els Ampe and Alain Courtois announced the plans on Monday during a meeting with local residents and merchants, writes brusselnieuws.be. The merchants, who have been especially critical of the new zone, citing fewer sales since its introduction in June, had originally asked for the return of two-way traffic to Avenue Emile Max, but the City did not respond to the request.

From December, the City of Brussels will reintroduce traffic in one direction in Avenue Emile Max, meaning De Brouckère will no longer be entirely car-free. The Brussels government intends to compensate the change by eventually removing car traffic from the other side of De Brouckère, at the UGC cinema complex.