Brussels-City council has approved a plan to build four new underground car parks in the city as part of the district’s new mobility plan – including one under the flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle, which gathered 20,000 signatures opposing the plan in just a few days.

The meeting at Brussels town hall on Monday was disrupted by about 350 opponents of the Place du Jeu de Balle car park; several hundred more were prevented from entering. Scuffles took place and one steward was injured.

Opponents of the plan say the construction would force the daily market to move to another location less than half the size and cause serious losses for the businesses established around the square that are unable to move but are dependent on market visitors. Above all, critics point out, the car park is not necessary; there are sufficient parking facilities in the area.

Mobility alderwomen Els Ampe’s plan, which is part of the larger plan to pedestrianise much of the capital’s centre, includes new underground car parks at Place de l'Yser, Place Rouppe and Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains, to be built and operated by the private sector.

Opposition party Groen and its French-speaking counterpart, Ecolo, have presented their own, alternative plan. They fear the council’s programme will encourage even more people to drive into the centre and lower the standard of public transport.

Their plan involves creating a number of traffic loops parting from the inner ring road, making through traffic unnecessary in the centre. It also involves opening up private car parks, which are full during working hours but empty at night, to evening visitors to the city.

photo courtesy VRT