[https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2023/03/23/plaatsing-permanent-hek-blaarmeersen-net-op-tijd-gestart-om-klaa/](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2023/03/23/plaatsing-permanent-hek-blaarmeersen-net-op-tijd-gestart-om-klaa/)

In the Blaarmeersen recreation area in Ghent, a company has started installing a permanent fence. That will be about 700 meters long, and will be around the beach and swimming area. The fence must close off the zone during busy periods and ensure that amokmakers can be kept out. The fence costs 600,000 euros and will remain in place for 4 summers. It must be ready by May 1, then the swimming season starts.

There is political criticism because the operation is so expensive in full savings times. Action group ‘Blaarmeersen Hekkenvrij’ fears that the fence will only shift the problem to other places in the city, or to other swimming areas. In any case, the city council wants to try out the fence over the next 4 seasons and promises an evaluation in 2026. Ghent also wants to work on more open bathing water to relieve the pressure on the Blaarmeersen. Flanders would work on new regulations that should make this possible.

13 comments

  1. Ah yes, a 2,5m fence, that’s gonna stop those good for nothing young people that ignore the rules!

  3. Instead of investing that money in swimming/water/anti-heat projects in Brussels to avoid overcrowding the existing swimming areas

  7. Such a shame that a nice open area gets fenced in for the sake of 3 weekends of trouble during a heatwave.

  8. There are no easy answers here.

    Belgium has an underfunded justice department who can’t prosecute the cases and that creates an atmosphere of lawlessness.

    I wonder what would happen if all cities would use funds like this (I suspect it’s much more than €600k across different cities) and allocate them to that department to prosecute and effectively punish.

  12. Meh, how about spending 600,000 euro on fixing the broken pavements in the inner city? I’m embarrassed in front of the tourists.

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