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ANTWERP | Final design Linkeroever Scheldt Banks South approved

Posted by Timothy on

The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp approved the final design for the south sub-area of ​​the Scheldt Banks Linkeroever project. This includes Beatrijslaan, from Galgenweellaan to the border with the municipality of Burcht. If everything goes according to plan, work will start in the second half of 2025.

To protect Antwerp against possible future flooding, De Vlaamse Waterweg is raising the dikes along the Scheldt River as part of the Sigma Plan. The city drew up a master plan to transform the banks of the Scheldt into a six-kilometre-long park after this dike increase. That Master Plan is now being developed into concrete plans.

The project area consists of 3 sub-areas: Scheldt Banks North (from Sint-Annabos to Charles De Costerlaan), Scheldt Banks Middle (from Charles De Costerlaan to Galgenweellaan) and Scheldt Bznks South (from Galgenweellaan to Burcht).

The final design for the northern sub-area was approved in May last year. The application for an environmental permit for that part is currently underway. 

On Wednesday 3 July, the city organized a walk-in moment, where everyone could ask questions about the plans. The public inquiry into the permit for the northern sub-area will run until 30 July The file can be viewed at the Flanders environmental counter: www.omgevingsloket.be.

The middle part – Frederik Van Eedenplein and surroundings – comes last. The design process for this can probably be started in 2025.

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

Three principles

This part of the project area concerns 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: the Scheldt Walk, optimal integration of the existing traffic flows, and the continuation of 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.

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 here are 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): “Just like on the right bank with the Scheldt Quays, we are also bringing the Scheldt closer to the people of Antwerp on the Left Bank and providing a strong green injection. The Scheldt borders guarantee, among other things, 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 St. Anne’s Beach beach. We approved the final design for the north sub-area in May 2023, and today we did so for the south sub-area, located between Galgenweellaan and the border with Burcht. In this way, the Scheldt banks are taking shape step by step. Combined with the other redevelopments, Linkeroever is looking forward to a beautiful, fresh, greener and bluer future.”

More information about the Scheldt Banks Linkeroever project can be found at: http://www.antwerpenmorgen.be/scheldeboordenlinkeroever.

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