The controversial felling of trees to build a tram turning loop in the Antwerp neighbourhood of Deurne has been temporarily halted. The decision was taken after crisis talks between N-VA and Vooruit, with Groen also involved.
‘Emotions running high’: Felling of trees for tram loop suspended after crisis talks
There were urgent talks between coalition partners Vooruit and N-VA on Thursday over the removal of the trees, which has led to major protests from residents and a number of arrests.
The purpose of the talks was to address the chaotic approach to the tree felling. The responsible councillor, Koen Kennis of N-VA, has been the target of local residents, action groups and PVDA and Groen but failed to respond publicly. Criticism also came from within the coalition, from Vooruit, and from N-VA, the party of the mayor of Deurne, Tjerk Sekeris.
In the late afternoon, the city council decided to temporarily halt the felling, and Kennis spoke on the issue for the first time.
Emotions have been running high in recent days, partly due to a lack of information and communication
“In the interests of continuing the work, which is focused on greening and improving mobility, we now want to restore calm,” he said. The work will resume later but it is not yet clear when.
“Emotions have been running high in recent days, partly due to a lack of information and communication,” said Kennis. “We did not foresee this, and better timing and a different approach by all parties could possibly have prevented it.”
Traditionally, Antwerp trams have only run in one direction. In Ghent, Brussels and other cities, trams run in both directions, with a driver’s cabin at each end of the vehicle. But not in Antwerp, which means trams have to use a turning loop at their terminus to travel in the opposite direction.
New two-way trams are being introduced elsewhere in Antwerp, which do not need a turning loop, but De Lijn does not plan to use them in Deurne-Zuid. The permit to carry out the work on the turning loop remains in place, and the trees will eventually still be cut down.
Kennis emphasised the ultimate goal of the work. “I would like to stress that the end result, with 148 additional trees, 2,000m² of greening, new bike paths, safer streets and an essential expansion of our public transportation options, will be a significant improvement for both the neighbourhood and the entire city.”