“Let those who are against the project stand up“, launches a Schaerbeekoise. Tense atmosphere this Thursday at the emblematic town hall of Schaerbeek where the consultation committee was held on the creation of the “north” extension of metro 3 between the Gare du Nord and Bordet. 4.5 kilometers crossing Schaerbeek and equipped with seven new stations, a wastewater treatment plant and a depot in Haren.
In the public, about fifty people, mainly residents opposed to this tunnel. Visible signs of annoyance and disagreement, loud voices… It must be said that this is the Brussels Region’s project of the century. And lately, the file has received several setbacks: a negative opinion from the Royal Commission on Monuments and Sites, the same from the Regional Mobility Commission, a vitriolic carte blanche from 30 academics and associations…
A decried procedure
“A very very very bad project”denounces a local resident with applause, alluding to the last aforementioned notices and asking “the commission to give a negative opinion”.
Referring to “biased” data, budgetary uncertainties and the effects of the pandemic, Arau, Atelier de Recherche et d’action Urbaine, also calls for the end of the project. “Just because we made the decision 10 years ago doesn’t mean we have to continue.”
A real bone of contention, the project procedure has been decried by local residents, who denounce a public inquiry that is too short (30 days). “This public inquiry is a decoy”, according to Benoît, a resident of Square Riga in Schaerbeek, pointing to the thousands of pages in the file. “It’s humanly impossible, describes Mélissa, a resident of Place Colignon. Despite my immense motivation, I have a full-time job, two children and today I had to take time off to come.”
Several stakeholders have requested an extension of the investigation… which has so far been refused. And even the pure and simple abandonment of the file. For its part, Beliris, in charge of this northern extension, as well as the STIB which will operate the line, do not budge: the choice of the metro is justified for reasons of comfort, regularity, commercial speed, and safety. .
Cascading implications
A Rubens Street sound engineer worried about the vibrations above his studio. An owner of Avenue Voltaire worried about the serenity of his building. A Schaerbeekois who wonders about the security of the future Riga station. Dispute over the disappearance of tram 55 by a metro deemed less convenient. Fears of congestion of a Harenois around Bordet…
Many are the collateral issues raised by this project which crosses many neighborhoods over more than 4 kilometres. Beliris ensures that inventories of the dwellings will take place, financed by the authorities.
But in addition to the fears of local residents for their peace of mind, the economic benefits have also been put on the table. The president of the association of traders in rue de Brabant, Mohamed El Hajaiji, criticizes in particular the failure to take into account the economic consequences of the construction site for this artery in the northern district, and points out the impacts on mobility and a construction site on the schedule not defined.
In response, the Stib ensures that an economic system “à la Stalingrad” will be put in place for this “exceptional site by its influence and its length”, with a doubled “site allowance”, special actions (window washing, annual Stib subscription at 50%…). Beliris confirms that the elements of compensation are currently being discussed and have not been finalized.
Following the opinions and remarks of local residents, the commission will meet one or more times behind closed doors before issuing an opinion. A decisive step in obtaining, or refusing, the permit for the largest construction site in the Brussels Region.