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Chaussée d’Ixelles driving ban continues to generate thousands of fines
Fines for driving along the Chaussée d’Ixelles – the popular shopping street that since September 2018 has been pedestrianised from 7.00 to 19.00 – average 70,000 a year, generating around €4.2 million in annual revenue for the commune, new figures reveal.
According to Ixelles local councillor Geoffroy Kensier (Les Engagés), total revenue from 2018 to 2023 could exceed €22 million. In the first three months alone following the introduction of semi-pedestrianisation on 7 September 2018, more than 15,000 administrative penalties of €58 each were issued, some €1 million in total.
The excessive number of fines is more than likely due to a lack of clarity – notably exactly which individuals or vehicles are exempt from the driving ban.
For example, vehicles belonging to local residents with garages and certain suppliers, as well as all emergency vehicles, taxis and buses, are permitted to use the Chaussée d’Ixelles, Brussels’ second busiest shopping street after Rue Neuve throughout the day.
In addition, motorised vehicles can still drive at the beginning of this major artery up until the Chaussée de Wavre junction. But any further and it is illegal and drivers can be caught by the ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras.
Photo: Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga
Comments
So they are raking in the monetary rewards of their policy of street closures/blockages, pedestrian zones, parking space removal, etc. Is that why they have named this policy 'Good Move' ?
"The excessive number of fines is more than likely due to a lack of clarity – notably exactly which individuals or vehicles are exempt from the driving ban."
First of all, those in local and federal government responsible for this mayhem should be fined, because their ineptitude is costing money and stress to their constituents.
Then, they should be fired because even though they have ample tangible evidence of the problems they have been creating, they are still doing nothing to rectify their wrongdoings.
It is becoming more and more obvious that the "Good Move" policy is the exact opposite of what it proclaims.