Demonstration at Provincial House Against Middelkerke Road Project

Middelkerke (Eurotoday) – A planned road between Slipe and Middelkerke, including a bridge, faces opposition from “No Job Through Our Polders.” Protesters claim political pressure, but N-VA denies it. The vote will happen next week.

A meeting about a new road in Middelkerke, province of West Flanders, Belgium, was held in Bruges on March 18, 2025. A group called “No Job Through Our Polders” protested outside the meeting. They oppose the road because it will affect the local landscape and farmland.

According to Geert Ampe, a spokesperson for the group, the road is being pushed through due to political pressure. He suspects that Jean-Marie Dedecker, a politician, might have influenced the approval process in exchange for electoral support. Ampe believes the road isn’t just a long-term infrastructure project but also the result of political maneuvering.

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Kelly Detavernier, a politician from the N-VA party, denied the claims of political pressure. She stated that the idea for the road was proposed in 2018, long before Jean-Marie Dedecker became mayor. She emphasized that the project has been in development for years and follows standard procedures for major infrastructure projects. Detavernier insists the road is necessary to meet community needs, rather than being a product of political deals.

She acknowledged concerns regarding the balance between economic growth and environmental protection. The debate has raised questions about decision-making processes, political influence in city planning, and ensuring that economic development does not come at the cost of the environment.

“We suspect that there is pressure from above, from the N-VA, to build the road at all costs,”

said Geert Ampe of the action committee.

A new road blank”>is being planned to connect Slipe and the center of Middelkerke. Town officials argue that the road is necessary to improve traffic flow. The plan includes constructing a new bridge over the Plassendale-Nieuwpoort canal. The proposed route passes through farmland and a nature reserve, causing opposition from those who believe it is unnecessary and environmentally harmful.

Despite objections, officials indicate that the road is likely to be built. The provincial council will vote on the plan next week. The “No Job Through Our Polders” group has vowed to continue their opposition. If the council approves the project, they plan to challenge the decision in court.

Last summer, the group commissioned a study to analyze traffic patterns between the E40 highway and Middelkerke. Their goal was to assess whether local officials were justified in claiming the new road was essential for traffic management.

The study concluded that there is no significant traffic problem. Geert Ampe stated that the findings demonstrate the road is unnecessary. The group believes the project is being pursued for reasons unrelated to traffic concerns.