The municipal council of Anderlecht this Thursday began with a citizen inquiry concerning the Cureghem district. The traffic plan is in the crosshairs of the neighborhood committees, which met at 6 p.m. on the council square before bringing their grievances to the ears of the college at 7 p.m. Among their main demands: a moratorium on the Good move plan.
Shortly before the council meeting, we meet Anas, a local merchant, who does not use the car but who is struggling to receive his deliveries following the plan. For Angelo and his three children, it’s at least 40 minutes of additional travel per day. “Here, there are only people for whom the car is not a choice but a need. The consultation was catastrophic.” The crowd gathered in front of the town hall calls for the resignation of the alderman of Mobility Susanne Muller Hubsch interspersed with “Give us back our quarters.” Slogans carried into the Council room by representatives of local residents, then called to order by the mayor. The latter gave the college a version of the petition once morest the plan.
The majority tries to save the furniture
The opposition MR, N-VA and PTB, applauded by the residents, supported the demands of the citizens, in particular that of a moratorium. The majority are booed during their speeches. PS group leader Lotfi Mostefa leaves the room following kicking a bag and breaking a glass. The tone rises and the mayor raises the threat of a suspension of the session on numerous occasions.
Eventually, the college responds. The majority parties PS – SP.A – One. brussels-Les engaged, Ecolo – Groen and Défi propose a text, at the last minute and without respecting the rules of the council according to the opposition. The college wishes to set up “regular meetings with neighborhood representatives.” It also invites opposition parties to sit on an expanded technical monitoring committee. The majority also promises a first evaluation of the plan in 3 months and to make the installations of the plan more aesthetic. A remark that makes the opponents laugh yellow. “But the moratorium is not suitable”assures the mayor Fabrice Cumps. “You are planning a war of attrition with us”, respond the residents present. “The elections are approaching, it’s a moratorium or nothing.” The opposition is having a field day. “You piss off the Anderlechtois”, “You’re going to set this neighborhood on fire”launches the MR in college.
Plan changes?
The majority text also provides “to ask the Region to modify without delay the interventions carried out on rue Bara, rue des Deux Gares and rue de France (and at the intersections with rue Dr Kuborn, rue Parenté and rue des Vétérinaires) in order to streamline traffic on board mesh.”
“The consultation will be launched next week to study the modifications that will have to be made directly”, hardly manages to announce the mayor.
After the attempt of the majority to put their text before those of the opposition, MR PTB and N-VA are enraged. The mayor closes the meeting before the vote.
