December 2021
Extension of Kraainem metro parking lot: good news!
This summer, we learned some good news! Following the environmental permit granted to Bruxelles Mobilité in April, the municipalities of Kraainem and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert lodged appeals against the project. These appeals were deemed admissible and well-founded, and the environmental permit was therefore refused. In particular, it was noted that there had been no consultation with
the Flemish Region nor any analysis of the impact on local traffic (i.e. in Kraainem and mainly on Avenue de Wezembeek) so that “its feasibility and effectiveness remain unknown, as does the impact it will have on general mobility”.
Bruxelles Mobilité has not lodged an appeal against this decision, and – at this stage – everything leads us to believe that the project has been (temporarily?) abandoned. This is the result of actions introduced by legal means and citizen mobilization (300 letters thanks to your mobilization!) which complement and reinforce each other.
November 8, 2021
Update Parking metro Kraainem
From 22/11, free parking ends but remains accessible to all
As previously announced, the free parking was temporary. Parking Brussels (the organization that manages the pricing of this parking lot located in the Brussels Region) has announced the new rates in effect as of Monday 22/11.There are different pricing formulas available depending on where you live, whether you use the metro (combined or not), and how often you use the metro.All the information is detailed in this communication: ICI As a reminder, the commune has no decision-making power over this parking lot, which is located in the commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, but we do our utmost to ensure that the interests of Kraainemois are taken into account. As a result, the parking lot is now accessible to all via the occasional scheme, which is reasonably priced, and only annual season tickets are reserved for people who live more than 2 km away.
July 2021
Subway parking lot: environmental permit refused
Good news!
Following the environmental permit granted to Bruxelles Mobilité in April, the municipalities of Kraainem (and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert) both lodged an appeal, via a lawyer specializing in the matter.
This appeal was deemed RECEIVABLE and FOUNDED, and the environmental permit was therefore REFUSED. In particular, it was noted that there had been no consultation with the Flemish Region and no analysis of the project’s impact on local traffic (i.e. Kraainem and mainly the Avenue de Wezembeek), with the result that “Its feasibility and effectiveness remain unknown, as does the impact it will have on general mobility.
Although Bruxelles Mobilité will probably appeal against this decision, it is undeniably positive news.
Legal action and citizen mobilization complement and reinforce each other.
May 2021
Kraainem subway parking lot extension project As a reminder, a consultation meeting held in October 2020 at the commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert was intended to provide a response to the planning permission application from the Brussels-Capital Region, which is the applicant for the project to extend the parking lot from 180 to 750 spaces, as the metro station is located on its territory.
During the meeting, the commission took note of the objections raised by various speakers, both politicians and citizens. Two main topics were addressed: the expected congestion of the Avenue de Wezembeek and adjoining streets, and the insufficient safety for weaker users (pedestrians and cyclists) in the project as planned.
Following the commission’s decision to… DELAY its decision “pending analysis of all the complaints made at the meeting”, the commune has appointed a lawyer to provide objective information on the mobility aspects of the surrounding area and to monitor the case closely.
At present, and since October 2020, nothing has moved and the file is in abeyance.
We would like to take this opportunity to highlight two indirect elements that could have an impact on the project’s future:
– A change in mobility habits, at least for a while, with greater use of telecommuting than before the crisis.
– The low occupancy rate of the CERIA parking lot in Anderlecht (1300 spaces), a project similar to the one planned for Kraainem metro station.
These two aspects call into question the viability of the project in the medium and long term.
March 2021
Accessible metro parking
The new barrier installed this week now allowsfree access to the metro parking lot for all, whether local residents, commuters or occasional users. Simply drive up to the barrier with your vehicle and it will open automatically. A situation long requested by Kraainem-Unie from the parking lot managers and which will remain in force at least until the end of the health crisis. We’re continuing to monitor the situation closely and will keep you informed.
September 2020
Kraainem subway parking lot: new public inquiry
The Kraainem metro station parking lot extension project has entered a new phase and a second public inquiry is underway untilSeptember 17, 2020 . Kraainem-Unie and Pro-Kraainem have been proactively following this project since its inception in early 2018(see the 2018 file history). To help all Kraainemois understand this project and its impact on mobility in the municipality, we have summarized the essential elements of the new project below.
Speakers
- The applicant is Bruxelles Mobilité (Brussels-Capital Region). As the metro parking lot is located on the territory of the commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, it is this commune that is coordinating this new public inquiry, organized simultaneously with Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Kraainem (as neighboring communes directly concerned by this project). Brussels Mobility’s current request is to obtain planning and environmental certificates (which will define the scope of the project). The first public inquiry in March-April 2018 concerned the impact study for the construction of a public parking lot, which in the meantime has been declared complete by the Brussels Region
Project components
- Expansion of car parking capacity from the current 180 spaces to 750. (1,200 in the original, amended project).
Construction of a 3-storey building with 4 possible parking levels (+1, +2, +3, roof)
Creation of parking spaces for 250 bicycles
Reorganization of bus traffic (including transit and waiting buses)
Redevelopment of the drop-off/pick-uparea
Creating retail space on the first floor
Redevelopment of central pedestrian area (“placette”)
Focus on mobility
- Entrance to the parking lot on avenue de Wezembeek and relocation of its exit from avenue Mounier (currently) to avenue de Wezembeek (next to the entrance). Exit the parking lot at avenue de Wezembeek and turn right (Woluwe) until you reach a roundabout allowing you to make a U-turn towards the Ring. Creation of new traffic lights at the Avenue de Wezembeek/Avenue Mounier intersection.
Risks for Kraainem and its inhabitants
Consequent increase in traffic on avenue de Wezembeek
From the Ring to Woluwe in the morning
From Woluwe to the Ring in the evening
Traffic slowdown:
Most vehicles will use the Avenue de Wezembeek to access the parking lot (mainly commuters from outside the Ring).
The increase in vehicle traffic will be concentrated over time: around 1 peak hour in the morning and 1.5 hours in the evening.
The number of vehicles that can pass the traffic lights crossing Avenue Reine Astrid is currently a maximum of 10 to 15 cars per minute (when there is no particular problem…).
Conclusion
Since La configuration of avenue de Wezembeek will not be able to absorb the increase in traffic generated by the La mandatory right exit will block – during the evening rush hour – not only the exit from Brussels towards the Ring, but potentially also the direction towards Brussels. an essential avenue for Kraainemois to access their homes (to the south, center and north). At present, and contrary to what was promised by Bruxelles Mobilité, the parking lot is still not accessible to local residents who live less than 2 km from the parking lot (i.e. most Kraainemois), and we have no clear commitment or schedule on this subject. The current occupancy rate of the parking lot (almost never full) does not justify any extension of its capacity.
Kraainem-Unie & Pro-Kraainem are not opposed to the creation of park-and-ride facilities, but believe that they should be located outside the Ring Road to avoid creating additional queues on already saturated roads. Kraainem-Unie & Pro-Kraainem are therefore opposed to this project as it is currently defined.
How to react?
- Consultation of the complete technical file: from August 19 to September 17 on the website
https://openpermits.brussels/fr/_18/ICE/648938#doc
You can send a letter in writing before September 17 to the following address Collège des Bourgmestre et Echevins de Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, avenue Paul Hymans 2, 1200 Brussels
A simple e-mail before September 16 is also sufficient to react:
parkingmetrokraainem@gmail.com
Your e-mail will be printed and sent to the Woluwe-St-Lambert commune on 17/09.
April 2020
Suspension of public inquiry following containment measures
Here’s the latest on the public inquiry into the extension of the metro parking lot.
At the beginning of March 2020, we announced that the survey that had been underway from February 11 to March 12 2020 had been cancelled. This was due to a procedural error on the part of the applicant (Bruxelles Mobilité/Région de Bruxelles Capitale), which had failed to comply with all administrative and legal publication requirements.
The new survey was scheduled to run from April 2 to May 1, 2020. In view of current containment measures, this new investigation is suspended. On Friday April 3, the government of the Brussels-Capital Region passed a decree suspending all current public inquiries.
According to our information, the survey for the metro parking lot should resume in June or September. We’ll keep you posted on the next steps.
March 2020
Kraainem metro parking lot: investigation cancelled due to procedural irregularities
As we told you, as soon as we heard the news ourselves, the public inquiry for the metro parking lot extension project (which ran from February 11 to March 12) was suddenly cancelled and postponed from April 2 to May 1.
The cause – according to the explanations we received from the Woluwe commune, which we contacted – was a procedural error on the part of the applicant (Bruxelles Mobilité/Région de Bruxelles Capitale), who failed to comply with all administrative and legal obligations regarding publication on the site https://openpermits.brussels/fr/enquetes_publiques
It’s an intriguing mistake, to say the least. The mobilization of opponents to the project was growing by the day, and numerous e-mails had already been sent to the municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, which was responsible for the public inquiry as the metro parking lot is located on its territory.
As a reminder, Kraainem-Unie and Pro Kraainem are concerned that the impact on mobility in the vicinity of the parking lot, and in particular on traffic on Avenue de Wezembeek, has been insufficiently taken into account in the impact study that has been carried out.
For it is certain that the extension of the parking lot will bring significant additional traffic to this residential area, even if it is difficult – if not impossible – to put a precise figure on it.
Kraainem-Unie & Pro-Kraainem are not opposed to the creation of park-and-ride facilities, but believe that they should be located outside the Ring Road to avoid creating additional queues on already saturated roads.
We would like to thank all those who have already responded by e-mail!< Unfortunately, due to an error by Bruxelles Mobilité, complaints will have to be submitted again during the new public inquiry period from April 2 to May 1.
We’ll be in touch then!
A reminder: At present, and contrary to what has been promised by Brussels Mobility, the parking lot is still not accessible during the day to local residents living less than 2 km away of the parking lot (i.e. most Kraainemois) and we don’t have a clear commitment and schedule on this subject. We continue to fight for this access.
To consult the complete file: https://www.kraainem-unie.be/parking-metro-kraainem-nouvelle-enquete-publique/
February 2020
Kraainem subway parking lot: new public inquiry
The The project to extend the Kraainem metro station parking lot has entered a new phase, and a new second public inquiry is underway from February 11, 2020 to March 12, 2020.
Kraainem-Unie and Pro-Kraainem have been proactively following this project since its inception in early 2018(see 2018 file history). To help all Kraainemois understand this project and its impact on mobility in the municipality, we have summarized the essential elements of the new project below.
Speakers
- The applicant is Bruxelles Mobilité (Brussels-Capital Region). As the metro parking lot is located on the territory of the commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, it is this commune that is coordinating this new public inquiry, organized simultaneously with Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Kraainem (as neighboring communes directly concerned by this project). Brussels Mobility’s current request is to obtain planning and environmental certificates (which will define the scope of the project). The first public inquiry in March-April 2018 concerned the impact study for the construction of a public parking lot, which in the meantime has been declared complete by the Brussels Region.
Project components
- Extension of parking lot capacity from the current 180 spaces to 750. (1,200 in the original, amended project)
Construction of a 3-storey building with 4 possible parking levels (+1, +2, +3, roof)
Creation of parking spaces for 250 bicycles
Reorganization of bus traffic (including transit and waiting buses)
Redevelopment of the drop-off/pick-uparea
Creating retail space on the first floor
Redevelopment of central pedestrian area (“placette”)
Focus on mobility
- Entrance to the parking lot on avenue de Wezembeek and relocation of its exit from avenue Mounier (currently) to avenue de Wezembeek (next to the entrance). Exit the parking lot at avenue de Wezembeek and turn right (Woluwe) until you reach a roundabout allowing you to make a U-turn towards the Ring. Creation of new traffic lights at the Avenue de Wezembeek/Avenue Mounier intersection
Risks for Kraainem and its inhabitants
Consequent increase in traffic on avenue de Wezembeek
From the Ring to Woluwe in the morning
From Woluwe to the Ring in the evening
Traffic slowdown:
Most vehicles will use the Avenue de Wezembeek to access the parking lot (mainly commuters from outside the Ring).
The increase in vehicle traffic will be concentrated over time: around 1 peak hour in the morning and 1.5 hours in the evening. The number of vehicles that can pass the traffic lights crossing Avenue Reine Astrid is currently a maximum of 10 to 15 cars per minute (when there is no particular problem…).
Conclusion
Given that the configuration of Avenue de Wezembeek will not allow the increased traffic generated by the parking lot to be absorbed. the compulsory right-hand exit will – in the evening rush hour – block not only the exit from Brussels to the Ring, but potentially also the direction towards Brussels. Avenue de Wezembeek is a an essential avenue for Kraainemois to access their homes (At present, and contrary to what was promised by Bruxelles Mobilité, the parking lot is still not accessible to local residents living less than 2 km away of the parking lot (i.e. most Kraainemois) and we don’t have a clear commitment and schedule on this subject. The <The current occupancy rate of the parking lot (almost never full) does not justify an extension of its capacity. Kraainem-Unie and Pro-Kraainem are opposed to this project and invite all citizens who wish to do so to react officially.
How to react?
- Consultation of the complete technical file: from February 11 to March 12 on the website
https://openpermits.brussels/fr/enquetes_publiques
A simple e-mail is enough to react:
ep.oo@woluwe1200.be
(same dates)
You can also send a letter in writing to the following address: Collège des Bourgmestre et Echevins de Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, avenue Paul Hymans 2, 1200 Brussels.
Here is a standard text that you can copy and use:
“We are Kraainemois citizens who oppose the metro parking lot extension project.”
May 2019
Parking at Kraainem metro station: something new for Kraainem residents
Parking.brussels (the Brussels regional parking agency that manages this parking lot located in the commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert) had informed us in April 2019 that the Kraainem metro station parking lot would be accessible to all again in early 2020. Daytime, evenings and weekends.
The planned pricing – which is identical for all P+R parking lots in the Brussels Region – is reasonable. It will amount to :
– for subscribers: EUR 5 per month + EUR 1.5 per day
– for non-members taking the metro: EUR 3 per day.
In the meantime, we have been informed that the necessary adaptations currently underway are encountering technical problems. Parking.brussels expects the new system to go live at the end of the first quarter of 2020.
At present, the parking lot is still temporarily free, but you have to live more than 2 km away to gain access during the day.
November 2018
Extension project (phase 2018)
The commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and the Brussels region have drawn up advanced plans for the construction of a 1,300-space covered parking lot (currently 180) next to the Kraainem metro station . While this is a step forward for commuters and for local residents currently suffering from the lack of parking for commuters, the project lacks study and makes mistakes regarding mobility and access to the surrounding area, particularly for the Avenue de Wezembeek (presented as a four-lane road!). Kraainem-Unie consulted the project at the Woluwe-St-Lambert town planning department, and responded officially.
Thanks to this letter, Kraainem-Unie was invited to the consultation meeting on April 20, attended by the mayor of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, and was able to make its point of view heard. During the meeting, Kraainem-Unie raised a number of points of concern: access to and from the parking lot, and the impact on mobility, especially from the Ring Road.
Our objective in this matter is to guarantee the best possible access to this future parking lot for all Kraainemois, without creating mobility problems in the surrounding area.
October 2018
General situation and background
As a reminder, this parking lot close to the Kraainem metro station is not located in our commune – as its name might suggest – but in the Brussels region, in the commune of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.
It is owned by the STIB and operated by parking.brussels . The municipality of Kraainem is therefore not involved in decisions concerning this parking lot.
The parking lot was saturated, as it had been badly used for many years: cars (belonging to UCL students, among others) were sometimes parked there for several days without moving… The parking lot was therefore full before 7 a.m. and illegal parking had become the norm. Parking.Brussels has therefore revised its access procedures, now offering the following three options:
- Daytime access for commuters
The parking lot is now accessible to commuters with a STIB season ticket who live within a radius of 2 to 40 km of the parking lot (see Kraainem-Unie’s position on this below). To apply for access (depending on your car’s license plate), visit https://parkandride.brussels//.
- Evening and night-time access for local residents
Local residents (living within a 700 m radius) can use the parking lot to park their cars at night. Access from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. on request at https://parkandride.brussels//
- Occasional evening and weekend access
Access is also provided for all occasional users, regardless of distance from home, who use the metro in the evening or at weekends, but this will not be operational for several weeks.
Bikes
The parking lot also offers a “Bike and Ride” service: a bicycle shelter where you can leave your bike in complete safety. Places are still available. For more information or to reserve a place, visit www.cycloparking.brussels
Pricing
At present, all access is free of charge, but parking.brussels has already informed us that this situation is temporary and that pricing is being worked out.
Current filling situation
At present (November 2018) the parking lot is not full, either during the day or in the evening, which means that “sump” cars have been removed from it to give access back to commuters and local residents.