Both factions disagreed on whether the project is related to the Bascharage bypass through the 'Bobësch' woodland in a session of the administrative court on Monday morning.

The administrative court continues to review the case of the Bobësch between Bascharage and Sanem. Last week, the president of the tribunal ruled that maintenance work on the gas pipes of the CR110, which run along the forest, can proceed. On Monday, focus was placed on a proposed wildlife overpass.

The goal of the proposed wildlife bridge is to link the woodlands on either side of the road between Bascharage and Sanem,  which may one day be connected to the Bascharage bypass.

Joé Ducomble, lawyer for the Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, argued that the bypass and the wildlife overpass represent unrelated projects: "Nothing connects them other than being located in the same municipality. The bypass is an individual project that is being criticised for various reasons. But that was not up for discussion today."

Members of a citizens' initiative from neighbouring Sanem, who have fought the planned bypass through the Bobësch for several years, disagree. They find it unclear as to why the gas pipes have to be lowered right at this moment to be later run underneath the bridge. After all, the case of the wildlife overpass was only argued on Monday.

Patrizia Arendt, president of the citizens' initiative, underlined the group's continued commitment to the preservation of the forest: "That is why we are here today, to continue fighting."

Ducomble stated that a permit was issued for the construction, explaining that this particular type of work has to be done this time of the year so that the impact on nature can be limited as much as possible.

A verdict in the case is expected next year.