No vignette-free strip on the French border, and Westhoek mayors consider going to court
Flemish minister Ben Weyts sees no merit in buffer zones for the road vignette, to the dismay of border municipalities worried about their French customers.
Flemish deputy minister-president Ben Weyts (N-VA) is not granting border municipalities' request for buffer zones when the road vignette is introduced. That emerges from an answer the minister gave to Flemish MP Jasper Pillen (Anders), VRT NWS reports. According to Weyts, a buffer zone would merely shift the problem, and a separate arrangement for certain roads or corridors has also been ruled out, citing equal treatment and enforceability. The effects will be monitored after the introduction, however, and vignettes with different periods of validity will be available.
From 1 May 2027, foreign drivers will need a digital vignette to use Flemish motorways and regional roads; an annual vignette costs 125 euros. The Westhoek region in particular fears that French customers will stay away. The Westhoek consultation body surveyed around eighty retailers, 56 of whom describe French customers as important to crucial. Amusement parks such as Bellewaerde and Plopsaland could also be affected, the mayors say.
Christophe Dejaegher (CD&V), chair of the Westhoek consultation body, calls the decision disappointing and speaks of discrimination. He points out that Austria does have exemption zones and that France only charges tolls well beyond the border. The decree is not yet ready, but the mayors are examining whether legal action is possible, VRT NWS and HLN report.