A lot of port infrastructure and spatial projects come together in and around Zelzate, such as roads, railways, pipelines, electrification and water. In order to improve the quality of life in Zelzate, make smart use of space and coordinate developments, a vision for the future has been created.
Zelzate is a crucial hub connecting the port areas of North Sea Port and Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with cross-border significance for the Netherlands. In order to put all the spatial puzzle pieces together and create an integrated vision for the future of Zelzate, the former Minister of Mobility and Public Works asked Governor Carina Van Cauter to draw up a conceptual design exercise for Zelzate. The Ghent Canal Zone Project Office was responsible for its preparation.
The list of planned and expected developments in and around Zelzate is long. As a first step, a broad inventory has been made of all port infrastructure and spatial developments that converge in Zelzate. These include the reconstruction of the R4 West and East ring road around the port, the Rail Ghent Terneuzen railway project, new hydrogen pipelines, the L77 port railway line along the E34, a 380 kV high-voltage grid for the electrification of industry and a new Zelzate tunnel. Some of these developments are already underway, while others are still awaiting a decision on their actual implementation.
In a follow-up step, various scenarios were designed for all these developments. These scenarios outline various possible solutions to the complex issue surrounding Zelzate. Smart use of space, finding a balance between all these developments and improving the quality of life, traffic conditions and mobility for the residents of Zelzate were the starting points for the design team. From the outset, residents were also asked to express their concerns.
The final report of the design exercise was recently delivered and has been greatly appreciated by the various stakeholders. It has also led to a renewed dialogue with residents. The final report forms the assessment framework for all future developments, whereby it is important to note that no definitive choices can be made at this stage. Further research is required for this.
"The Ghent Canal Zone is an economic powerhouse and an infrastructural hub for our province and Flanders. It is important that we support the further economic development of our province and Flanders by making the necessary infrastructural investments that were clearly identified in the design exercise."
"The importance of this design exercise for the quality of life, traffic liveability and mobility of Zelzate and its residents cannot be underestimated. With this final report, we must now continue to work together."
The design exercise also made it clear that a regional spatial implementation plan (GRUP) is necessary in order to realise all infrastructure developments, Rail Ghent Terneuzen in particular.
In a new collaboration between the Department of Environment and the Ghent Canal Zone Project Office, preparations for this regional spatial implementation plan have begun. The final report of the design exercise will form an important building block.
"Urgent work on the spatial implementation plan is crucial for the realisation of Rail Ghent Terneuzen and the modal shift from road to rail freight transport."
Finally, work must begin on the three priority projects.
For Rail Ghent Terneuzen, the extension of the railway line along John Kennedylaan in Ghent towards the Axelse Vlakte, adjacent to the border with the Netherlands, the various authorities have already committed the necessary budgets.
The R4 ring road in Zelzate, including the passage through the centre, is on the list of black spots. Traffic regularly comes to a standstill there. For smooth and safe mobility in Zelzate and the port, it is therefore essential to restart the reconstruction, including financing.
Lastly, and in the longer term, there is a need for a new Zelzate tunnel. The current tunnel is 60 years old and is showing increasing signs of wear and tear. A deeper tunnel is important to allow deeper-lying ships on the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal to sail as far as Ghent. It is also an important link for road transport between Antwerp and Zeebrugge. The exploratory studies for its replacement should now be started.
"The Tractaatweg in the Netherlands has been rebuilt. Both R4s south of the E34 are being rebuilt. The missing link between the two on Zelzate territory must not be left behind."
Since November 2002, the Ghent Canal Zone Project has been the subregional consultative body for the impact of port activities on spatial planning, the environment, mobility and the liveability of residential areas. The Ghent Canal Zone Project is thus pivotal in monitoring the balanced, integrated, area-specific development of the canal zone through the implementation of an annual programme drawn up jointly with all partners.
The Ghent Canal Zone Project is a partnership between the city of Ghent, the municipalities of Evergem and Zelzate, the provincial government of East Flanders, the Flemish Region and the North Sea Port authority.
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