Train Disruption in Wallonia as Travel Weekend Peaks

Train services between Mons and La Louvière-Sud in southern Belgium have been suspended following a brush fire caused by a broken catenary wire, with normal service expected to resume Saturday morning. The disruption comes as Belgian mobility organizations warn that the weekend of July 17–19 is one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer, urging drivers to avoid departing on Saturday.

Train Disruption on Lines 112 and 118

A brush fire broke out at Saint-Vaast, near La Louvière, on Friday morning, July 17, disrupting train traffic on Line 112 (La Louvière–Piéton) and Line 118 (Mons–La Louvière), according to RTBF. The fire was sparked when a broken catenary wire ignited dry brush on an embankment after a train passed.

Traffic was restored by 08:00 between Mons and Piéton, but services remain interrupted between Mons and La Louvière-Sud. The SNCB (Belgian National Railway Company) has put in place a replacement bus service for the affected segment. Normal train service is expected to resume Saturday morning, July 18, after repair work on the damaged catenary is completed.

An investigation has been opened to determine the exact causes of the fire, La Libre reports via Belga.

One of the Busiest Travel Weekends of the Summer

While rail passengers face disruption on the Mons–La Louvière corridor, road travelers across Belgium are being warned of severe congestion ahead. The weekend of July 17–19 is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer, according to Belgian mobility organizations VAB and Touring.

“Try especially not to depart on Saturday. That will be the heaviest traffic day of the weekend,” said Jan Cretens of VAB, as quoted by VRT NWS. Sunday is considered the best travel day.

France remains the most popular destination for Belgian travelers by car, accounting for 61% of departures, followed by Germany and the Netherlands at 18% each. Heavy traffic is expected on major routes including the A6 Autoroute du Soleil in southern France, German motorways A3, A5, A7, A8, and A9, Austria’s Brennerautobahn and Tauernautobahn, and Switzerland’s Gotthardtunnel and San Bernardino route.

Forest Fire Impact on Key Routes

Adding to the travel challenges, the A6 motorway near Fontainebleau, southeast of Paris, was closed for days due to a large forest fire. The road has partially reopened, but one lane in each direction remains reserved for emergency services with a reduced speed limit of 90 km/h, according to De Morgen.

Weather Warnings for Alpine Regions

Severe thunderstorms are expected in Alpine regions, including the Alps and Pyrenees, with heavy rain and possible strong wind gusts. Travelers heading through these areas are advised to monitor weather conditions closely.

What to Expect Ahead

While this weekend is expected to be exceptionally busy, mobility organizations caution that the true “Black Saturday” — the busiest travel day of the summer — is predicted for August 1, 2026, when the French changeover weekend begins. VAB spokesperson Gert Verhoeven previously noted that “what will absolutely be a black weekend is August 1 and 2, the changeover weekend.”

For now, authorities advise travelers to consider departing Friday evening or Sunday to avoid the worst of the congestion. Those using rail services between Mons and La Louvière should plan for replacement bus services until Saturday morning.

The dry conditions that allowed a catenary spark to ignite brush at Saint-Vaast also serve as a reminder of heightened fire risks along railway corridors during dry summer weather — a concern that may persist as the summer heat continues.