Marchantbrug:

Ceci n’est pas une route.

It’s a great place to be!

Who are we?

Surlepont is an action group of Anderlecht inhabitants that strives to foster Marchant bridge as an iconic, green & urban social space.

The future of the bridge is about to be decided. Surlepont wants to give a voice to all the residents and passers-by who value this place and support the idea of an active transport bridge.

The place is so unique and valuable because it combines:

An iconic viewpoint that invites you to stay and experience

An urban social space that motivates you to meet and participate

A green corridor that promotes active mobility and healthy living

Les amis du Pont

Surlepont also wants to bring the friends of the Pierre Marchant Bridge together online.

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Recently we met Gianna, Ward and their little dog Dali. Gianna is Italian, Ward a native of Ghent. They got to know this place when they lived at Saint-Guidon. Today they live in The Wheel, but they still come to the bridge very regularly, to play with their dog Dali, and to enjoy the sunshine and the view of the canal and the Brussels skyline.

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Sur Le Pont brings the friends of the Pierre Marchant Bridge together virtually! Winston is Swedish, grew up in England but moved to Brussels recently. He lives at a ten minutes’ walk from the bridge and you will find him here when the sun is out, enjoying the weather and a good book.

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Sur Le Pont aims to bring together friends of the Pierre Marchant Bridge online. Today, we present you Baptiste, Julien and Ilyas, three friends who live in Cureghem. They often meet on the bridge for a game of backgammon.

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Recently we met the friends Anna and Flora. Anna lives in the center of Brussels, Flora and her dog Poutchi in Ixelles. They love to catch up with each other while walking along the canal. And of course, at the end of each walk there is always our lovely bridge for a moment of rest and a drink.

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Jef, Katrien, Arnout and Djaina also meet regularly on our bridge. Their story parallels that of countless others we met in recent weeks: they discovered this place especially during the lockdowns, during which the lack of quality green space in our city became so apparent. There has been much talk over the past year about the need for perspective, and let’s face it, perspective abounds here. On top of that, a summer with fewer worries looms on the horizon, and even an outdoor pool….

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Wim from Halle and Lore from Saint-Gilles also know that our bridge is the ideal place for a romantic dinner at sunset. See less – feeling romantic.

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FAQ

1. Why is the bridge closed to motor traffic?
The bridge has been closed to motor traffic since 2014 due to stability issues.
2. Are pedestrians and cyclists still allowed to use the bridge?
The bridge has stability issues, but it is still strong enough for pedestrians and cyclists. According to the engineers, however, the stability problems could worsen over time
3. Will there be a new bridge?
The Brussels Region, which owns the bridge, is considering building a new bridge. However, various procedures must first be completed, and these have not yet been finalised. For an explanation of the procedures, see question 8.
4. What will the new bridge look like?
It’s not clear yet. Until there are final plans, no building permits can be issued. In addition, political discussions about the future of the bridge are still in full swing; some people want a bridge for cars, others a bridge for bikes and pedestrians with space for people to meet..
De gemeente Anderlecht heeft toch in 2023 beslist dat er een autobrug moet komen?
Omdat het een Gewestbrug is, kan de gemeente daar niet zelf over beslissen. Het is wel juist dat een meerderheid binnen het College van Burgemeester en Schepenen een standpunt heeft ingenomen vóór de bouw van een autobrug.
5. Did the municipality of Anderlecht recently decide that there would be a car bridge?
As this is a regionally-managed bridge, the commune cannot decide this by itself. However, it is true that a majority among the mayor and aldermen has taken a position in favour of the construction of a car bridge.
6. What type of bridge does the Brussels Region want?
The last word has not yet been said about this. Since 2018, three proposals have already been submitted and at every step in the decision-making procedure you see the different visions clashing. Even with the most recent plans that are now (March 2024) under public review, you immediately feel that things could go either way. The new bridge would initially be designed for cyclists and pedestrians. But the structure is designed in such a way that it will remain possible in the future – with simple measures – to allow cars and even trucks again.
7. What type of bridge does Surlepont want?
Surlepont is critical of the current plans. It looks good on the screen: it will be a cycling and walking bridge with lots of greenery, and room for benches, etc. Completely in line with the ideas we have been advocating for years. But NOTHING guarantees us that this will continue. That is why we continue to strive for the preservation of the Pierre Marchant Bridge as a meeting place and important axis for active mobility. Precisely because it is such a unique, quiet place in Anderlecht, a high-quality public space that people from the densely populated neighborhoods so need. That’s why we say: build a new cycling and foot bridge or leave the bridge as it is now!
8. What is the procedure?
This kind of procedure is always very complicated. And it’s hard to predict what might happen in the future. Here’s a brief summary of what has happened so far:
2018 – The (former) Mobility Minister Pascal Smet submits an application for the construction of a new car bridge
2019 – 1st consultation committee on the Environmental Impact Study for the future bridge:
Surlepont successfully requests that the option of a cycle and foot bridge also be examined.
2022-2023 – Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt adjusts the plans. Supported by conclusions from the Environmental Impact Study, the decision is made to build a new cycling and foot bridge with space for people to meet.
Januari-Februari 2023 – This cycling and foot bridge with space for people is entering public enquiry. The Environmental Impact Study is now publicly available. Surlepont gathered 3.000 signatures supporting this plan.
16 Februari 2023 – 2nd consultation committee on the cycle and foot bridge. Surlepont defends the new plans. But, in the end, a “favourable“ opinion is delivered by the municipality with the condition that buses and cars must also be able to cross the bridge
April 2023 – State Secretary Pascal Smet, responsible for Urban Planning, gives the same favourable“ opinion: the new bridge can be built on the condition that it must also be able to accommodate public transport, cars and trucks in the future.
January 2024 – Minister Elke Van den Brandt, responsible for Mobility and prime contractor, presents new plans within the framework of the “conditional permit”. She retains the idea of ​​building a heavy structure, but opts for a design of the bridge only for pedestrians and cyclists.
March 2024 – These most recent plans are subject to public investigation. Residents and the municipality will speak out on Thursday 28.03 during the 3rd consultation committee.
Surlepont will not support the plans, because the construction of a heavy structure risks allowing cars and trucks again in the future.
May-October 2024? – State Secretary Ans Persoons, responsible for Urban Planning, must decide whether or not a building permit will be issued. Exactly when is still unknown… just like her final verdict. In addition, it will probably be the newly elected officials who will once again have to reach an agreement on the future construction and use of the bridge…
9. How can you help Surlepont?
Surlepont is a citizens’ collective made up of volunteers. We try to communicate positively about this unique meeting place and enable as many people as possible to benefit from it, by collaborating with other organisations or organising activities ourselves. We also target decision-makers and politicians. All this takes a lot of time and energy. If you’d like to give us a hand, send an e-mail to info@surlepont.brussels.
And if you’re also a fan, please spread the word so that support for the preservation of this unique site keeps growing. Thank you for your support. See you on the bridge!

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