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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Belgium builds 'floating' cycle path to save trees

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Nazareth-De Pinte is constructing a unique "floating" cycle path to preserve mature trees.
  • The path will be elevated on a sand layer, avoiding traditional foundations that could harm tree roots.
  • This innovative technique, rarely used in Flanders, aims to connect local amenities while protecting the street's natural environment.

In Nazareth-De Pinte, a novel approach is being taken to build a new cycle path: it will "float" above the ground to protect the street's established trees. The Bommelstraat project bypasses traditional, rigid foundations, opting instead for a soft structure built on a sand layer. This method allows the path to hover over the existing tree roots, preserving the natural landscape.

It is a technique that is not used much in Flanders yet.

— Willem RombautAlderman Willem Rombaut describing the innovative floating cycle path construction.

This innovative technique is not common in Flanders. "It is a technique that is not used much in Flanders yet," said alderman Willem Rombaut (cd&v). The municipality specifically requested a solution from the contractor that would allow them to keep the 34 plane trees lining the street. "We had asked the contractor to find a solution, because we really wanted to keep the 34 trees in the street."

We had asked the contractor to find a solution, because we really wanted to keep the 34 trees in the street.

— Willem RombautAlderman Willem Rombaut explaining the motivation behind choosing the floating path design.

Community support played a significant role in adopting this method. Mayor Thomas Van Ongeval (cd&v) mentioned a petition with 800 signatures urging the preservation of the trees. "We received a petition with 800 signatures to keep the trees," he stated. Following advice from a tree specialist, the municipality opted for the floating cycle path design, adapting the original plans accordingly.

We received a petition with 800 signatures to keep the trees.

— Thomas Van OngevalMayor Thomas Van Ongeval highlighting community involvement in the decision.

While the floating path will incur slightly higher costs for the municipality, officials believe it is a worthwhile investment. "It costs the municipality a bit more, but it is certainly worth it to preserve the trees in this beautiful avenue," Rombaut added. The new path aims to create a crucial link between local facilities and surrounding neighborhoods, encouraging more residents, especially families with young children, to cycle safely to schools, youth centers, sports facilities, and cultural venues. Work on the cycle path is expected to be completed by mid-next month.

It costs the municipality a bit more, but it is certainly worth it to preserve the trees in this beautiful avenue.

— Willem RombautAlderman Willem Rombaut justifying the increased cost for environmental preservation.
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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