Traffic jams, faltering public transport and infrastructure that is on the verge of collapse: if something is not done quickly, the Netherlands will become silted up. The Mobility Offensive is thus sounding the alarm, supported by the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) and the Interprovincial Consultation (IPO). Noud Broekhof of BNR Mobility finds the call spicy, ‘accessibility is really under pressure’.
The fact that the VNG and IPO support the call gives the story a lot of strength, according to Broekhof. ‘This is felt more acutely at a local level, that’s where it really starts to hurt.’ According to these parties, 3 billion euros are structurally needed annually to keep our country travelable, which presents the new cabinet with a gigantic task.
‘I find the fact that the provinces and municipalities are now joining it an interesting fact’
Broekhof mentions a long list of problem areas. The road is becoming busier because people are working from home en masse on the same days. The infrastructure is starting to squeak and creak more and more in many places. Yesterday it was announced that the Van Brienenoord Bridge is about to collapse.
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Public transport is little better. More and more bus lines are disappearing in Zeeland and Limburg and the train threatens to become as much as 10 percent more expensive on January 1. This is not the first call for more money. But, says Broekhof: ‘I find the fact that the provinces and municipalities are now joining it to be interesting.’
Tags: Emergency bell sounds Netherlands impassable extra money
