Completion of a new survey on the redesign of the A12: “The Need for Green Space and Tranquility on the Tunnel Roof” | Archer

In the previous survey organized by the A12 team study consortium in the spring of 2021, an explicit request was made for the A12 tunnel in whole or in part between Ikea and Decathlon. This means that space on the surface of the tunnel will be freed up if A12 is underground. With a new digital survey in February 2022, they wanted to gauge desires and expectations regarding this above-ground interpretation. In the end 1,906 people took part in a short-term survey. This means that the project team has got a good picture of the priorities and preferences of residents, visitors, businesses, and passersby.

The survey shows that the vast majority prefer green spaces and the rest are on the surface of the tunnel. This includes a park, trees and shrubs, wild plants, benches, picnic benches, a water feature with a fountain, and a kiosk with terrace. A space for sports and games – eg a playground, skate park, petanque or Finnish track – is desirable, but it cannot be combined with public transport and cycling on the surface of the tunnel. Thus these two components will be the first to die if the designers face a shortage of space on the surface of the tunnel.

Moby points will also be generated on the surface of the tunnel. These are places where you can easily move from one mode of transportation to another. Covered stops for public transport and bike pens are also essential. Nearly three-quarters of participants wish to cross using zebra crossing and traffic lights, even if the N177 in the project area ends in one lane and the A12 underground. While everyone is willing to walk 200 meters to reach such a crossing, the vast majority of participants find it necessary to provide crossings for cyclists and pedestrians on every street.

“The designers will now work on the information in the survey,” says Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peters (Open Vld). “In the coming months, they will work on developing concrete and feasible design proposals for the tunnel roof on the A12. These will be submitted to interested parties at a later stage of the project. In the meantime, EIA experts are working hard on the environmental impact study. These results are expected at the end of the year 2022.”