Infrabel, the Belgian rail network manager, has announced the total suspension of high-speed train traffic on the line between Brussels and the French border from 12 to 29 August. This will be in both directions, with the following: a 30 minute extension travel times. During this period, Eurostar trains to London will have to use the classic rail line between Lille Europe and the Belgian capital, while SNCF TGVs and Eurostars from Paris to Amsterdam and Cologne (Ex-Thalys) will pass through Mons. Due to the expected increase in traffic during the Olympic Games, Infrabel took care to wait until the end of the event which will have extinguished the flame the day before in Paris.
10 years of work in perspective
This high-speed line, the oldest in Belgium at 27 years old, needs significant rehabilitation works. « In recent years, signs of aging have appeared on the line linking Brussels to the Franco-Belgian border. This observation led the Belgian railway infrastructure manager to plan a renewal project which will take place over ten years.“, thus justified Infrabel.
The complete change of tracks and part of the ballast will thus be carried out on a first section of 17.6 km, more precisely for the experts of Belgian geography between the municipalities of Leuze-en-Hainaut and Brugelette. The circulation of SNCB regional trains will also be impacted by this addition of high-speed train traffic between Mons and Brussels, Mouscron and Brussels, Ath and Mons. Other sections of the LGV will probably be carried out in the coming summers with the same effects.
