Experience

ANTWERP | Preliminary design Linkeroever / Scheldt Banks South approved

Posted by Timothy on

The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp approved the preliminary design for the south sub-area of the Scheldt Bank Left Bank (Scheldeboorden Linkeroever) project. This includes Beatrijslaan, from Galgenweellaan to the border with the town of Burcht. 

If everything goes according to plan, the final design will be ready by this summer. The works will then start in the second half of 2025.

The City of Antwerp is preparing to prevent possible future flooding. The Flemish Waterway agency raises the dikes along the Scheldt as part of the Sigma Plan. The city drew up a Master Plan to transform the Scheldt banks into a six-kilometre-long park after this dike increase, for which concrete plans are now being developed.

The project area consists of three sub-areas: 

  1. Scheldt Banks-north from Sint-Annabos to Charles De Costerlaan, 
  2. Scheldt Banks-middle from Charles De Costerlaan to Galgenweellaan,
  3. Scheldt Banks-south from Galgenweellaan to Burcht. 

The final design for the northern sub-area was approved in May last year. The middle part – Frederik Van Eedenplein and surroundings – will only be dealt with last, the design process for which can probably be started in 2025.

The council now approved the preliminary design for the south sub-area.

Three principles

This part of the project area includes the Beatrijslaan, between the Scheldt on one side and the Galgenweel and Burchtse Weel on the other side.

The three most important principles of the design are:

  1. The Scheldt Boardwalk. 
  2. Optimal integration of existing traffic flows.
  3. Extending the mosaic landscape.

After the dike is raised, it will be widened and a walking path will be created with rest areas and benches. You can take a nice walk here in the future, with a view of the large water features.

The Beatrijslaan is an important cycling connection. That is why there will be wide two-way cycle paths on both sides of the street. Driving in both directions remains possible for motorized traffic. The edges and parking strips will be softened and made of water-permeable materials.

With the exception of one specimen, the trees will be preserved. A large number of trees will be added near the Burchtse Weel. 

Further research must reveal what is possible in terms of greenery near the Galgenweel. 

After all, the wind that the sailing boats need must be taken into account. Finally, there will also be a footpath along the side of the wells, so that everything remains easily accessible.

Alderman for Urban Development Annick De Ridder (N-VA): “We are redeveloping the Scheldt Banks according to the principles of greening and blueing. There will be a 6-kilometre-long walking promenade in greenery and next to the Scheldt, with an open landscape in the Scheldt bend that connects the marina, the Robinson playground and Saint Anna Beach. We approved the final design for the northern sub-area in May 2023. Now we did this with the preliminary design of the 1. Scheldt Banks-south sub-area, located between Galgenweellaan and the border with Burcht. Step by step, the Scheldt banks are taking shape. Here on the Left Bank too, we are bringing the Scheldt closer to the people of Antwerp and providing a strong green injection.”

Next steps

After consultation with companies and associations along the route and with the sounding board group, the project team will draw up the definitive plans for this sub-area. These are expected by the summer. After obtaining the environmental permit, the project is then awarded to a contractor, after which the work can start. That will probably be in the second half of 2025.

More information about the Scheldt Banks Left Bank project can be found at: http://www.antwerpenmorgen.be/scheldeBoardsLinkeroever.

On the look of Antwerp