Pic Nic the Streets protest held in Brussels

Pedestrians turned out in force on Sunday for the latest edition of Pic Nic the Streets, held in front of the Bourse/Beurs to protest against the city’s proposed plans to build a ‘mini-ring’ around the city centre. Following on from last year’s gathering, the Brussels municipal council announced plans to create pedestrianized streets around the Bourse/Beurs – a decision greeted by the citizens movement but not without reservations.

“Instead of making the city centre a car-free zone, the city council has decided to re-organise traffic differently,” said a spokesperson for Pic Nic the Streets. “Creating a mini-ring and additional carparks would run the risk of pulling in yet more vehicles into residential areas.”

As pedestrians arrived with picnic blankets and hampers on Boulevard Anspachlaan, Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur pointed an accusatory finger at public transport operator Stib/MIVB for not contributing enough to the project. “It’s all too easy,” said the movement, “Stib is unhappy with the proposed plans. Its buses will find themselves stuck in traffic on the mini-ring and the municipal council wants to do away with bus lanes. The city is just tackling the problem the wrong way.”