The MOT supporting Sambre Avesnois Sud Hainaut

January 2025

On November 25th, 2024, in Erquelinnes, Belgium, the MOT led a workshop on cross-border mobility as part of the ‘Sambre Avesnois Sud Hainaut’ cooperation strategy. Following a presentation by the MOT of a territorial analysis of cross-border mobility, some thirty elected representatives and technicians from both sides of the border discussed the challenges of improving rail and road links to meet the daily needs of the French-Belgian population.

Among the priorities: the relaunch of the rail link between Paris and Brussels via Aulnoye-Aymeries and Mons, the extension of the RN54 on the Belgian side, and better coordination of road infrastructure investment schedules. In terms of governance, it has been proposed that a steering committee be set up between the SNCF, the SNCB and the local authorities.

Since 2021, the MOT has been supporting the Maubeuge Val-de-Sambre conurbation community, which initiated this strategic approach. In July 2023, the French and Belgian elected representatives committed themselves to organized cooperation, through a flexible structure in the form of a cross-border assembly supported by thematic workshops bringing together elected representatives and technicians. The next cross-border assembly is set to meet in the first half of 2025.

^{Photo: MOT}