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🇧🇪 Belgium /Economy & Trade

Aalter scraps free midday parking, makes long-term parking more expensive: 'We want more rotation in the center'

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Aalter, Belgium, is implementing new parking regulations starting next year, including ending free midday parking and increasing fees for longer stays.
  • The changes aim to improve parking rotation and availability in the town center during business hours.
  • Residents of the center will be able to apply for resident parking cards for underground garages, with the first card costing 250 euros annually.

The town of Aalter in Belgium is set to introduce a new parking regime aimed at increasing turnover and ensuring more available spaces in its town center. Starting January 1st, the current system of free parking between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. will be abolished, with paid parking now in effect continuously from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

We want to increase rotation during that period and ensure that visitors can more easily find a spot. That benefits not only the accessibility of shops and catering establishments but also strengthens our attractiveness as a lively center.

— Mathias Van de WalleThe mayor explained the rationale behind the new parking regulations.

Mayor Mathias Van de Walle explained that the goal is to provide more opportunities for visitors, particularly those running errands or shopping, to find parking spots. "We want to increase rotation during that period and ensure that visitors can more easily find a spot," Van de Walle stated. He believes this will benefit local businesses and enhance Aalter's appeal as a vibrant commercial hub.

Alongside the end of free midday parking, the tariffs for longer parking durations will also increase. Parking for 100 minutes will rise by 50 cents to 1.50 euros from next year, and for 120 minutes, the cost will be 2 euros, up from 1.25 euros. The mayor advised that visitors intending to park for extended periods should utilize the free peripheral parking lots, where a blue parking card allows for up to 4 hours of parking.

Visitors who want to park longer should better use the free peripheral parking lots. With a blue parking card, you can park there for 4 hours.

— Mathias Van de WalleThe mayor advised on alternative parking options for longer stays.

In a significant change for local residents, Aalter will introduce resident parking cards for its underground parking facilities, Altr’A and Warande. Residents can apply for a maximum of two cards per address. The first card will cost 250 euros per year, and the second will be 300 euros. This initiative aims to encourage more residents to use the underutilized underground garages, providing them with a dedicated parking solution while keeping street spaces open for shoppers and visitors. Healthcare providers will also be eligible for a free digital parking card.

With the resident cards, the city wants to get more vehicles into the underground parking lots, because they are still too often unused today.

— Mathias Van de WalleThe mayor detailed the strategy behind offering resident cards for underground garages.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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