2023-09-13 04:00:00
On Friday, the residents of Court-Saint-Etienne discovered with surprise that signs had been installed in completely unexpected places. Some were placed in the middle of a sidewalk or right on a bike path. Photos were quickly published on a community Facebook group. “We border on genius”, “Belgian surrealism”, “Horrible and dangerous”, can we read in the comments. Furthermore, the shape of the panels also appeals to residents, who find it strange.
We would not have validated this location
Contacted by our editorial staff, the alderman for Mobility in Court-Saint-Etienne shares the astonishment of local residents. “Indeed, the poles are in the middle of the cycle path and it is very dangerous, recognizes Mélanie Laroche. The alderwoman specifies that the N275 is a regional road and that the work there is therefore managed by the Public Service of Wallonia. “We were not informed of where these signs were going to be placed. Otherwise, we would not have validated this location.” she assures.
©Facebook/Johan Thijs
So what happened? In reality, these signs were placed correctly, but too early. “The company responsible for the work carried out what is called advance signaling. explains Sarah Pierre, spokesperson for the Walloon Public Service Mobility section. Indeed, 4 days following their installation (namely, yesterday morning), work began in the same location, providing all the necessary diversions and signs for cyclists. At the time of writing, there would no longer be any confusion on site, according to the SPW.
According to the alderman, the project plans to widen the cycle path. “For the moment, cyclists must go around the signs and according to the first information received, this work will take place over 15 days,” describes Mélanie Laroche, who however says she remains “skeptical“on the smooth running of traffic. “The question will be to know where the bicycles which have to go up or down the road will go. It is a regional road and there is a lot of traffic. In addition, it is a bend so it is all the more dangerous “, explains the alderman, inviting cyclists and motorists to exercise caution.
©Facebook/Johan Thijs
The alderman also questioned the Public Service of Wallonia regarding the presence of signs in the middle of the sidewalks. Especially since these were redone by the Region a few months ago: “These are sidewalks shared between cyclists and pedestrians, said Mélanie Laroche. And there, I was told that the vegetation was going to be pruned. That it was going to be 1.20 meters wide and that it was legal to leave it like that. (…) What saddens me is that the municipality has never been involved in this matter.”
©Facebook/Johan Thijs
What remains is the shape of the panels, which appeals to local residents. “The form has been validated by the Region, comments the alderwoman, who regrets the lack of consultation with the municipality on this subject as well. The shape would have a ‘gate’ effect to slow down the speed of vehicles.”
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