Limburg Central aims to create a new district on an undertunneled track in Weert

The Province of Limburg and the Limburg municipalities of Weert, Venlo, Roermond, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen and Maastricht have jointly written the ‘Limburg Central’ proposition: the development of one large-scale housing location, formed by the development of the area near the six intercity stations. These are locations that are easily accessible and intended for home seekers from Limburg and beyond. More than 30,000 homes can be built near these six stations before 2040. This will not only boost housing construction, but also the economic development of Limburg and the quality of life in the immediate area.

The green home port of Weert

Last month it became clear that the ‘Limburg Central’ proposition for Weert provides for 3,804 additional homes within 1.5 km of the intercity station until 2040. The proposition was presented a week later. This further elaborates ‘Controlled growth in a green home base’, as the proposals for Weert are called.

“The future railway zone is a multifunctional area for living, working, inventing and creating. […] The station is being developed into an international mobility hub with two-way access. Weert forms the connection between Antwerp-Eindhoven and has opportunities for economic strengthening and stimulation of living in the border region. The new station area will therefore become the new city entrance to Weert.”

Tunneling the track under

The report states that the railway line currently forms a barrier that divides the city in two. That is why the plan is to tunnel the railway: this way the increasing mobility on the railway can be accommodated without inconveniencing the surrounding area and at the same time a new district can be developed to enable the growth of the city in terms of living and working. In addition, there is also more space for the so-called ‘green and blue interconnection’ of nature: plants and waters that will make the future railway zone the green heart of the city.

To further strengthen the connection between the southern half of the city and the center and to increase the accessibility of public transport, the new station should have two entrances: one on the north side, as is currently the case, and one on the south side.

In addition, there is a short-term plan to use a Bus Rapid Transit to transport the 6,400 Weerten residents who work in the Brainport Region to and from work in a fast, comfortable and reliable manner. “The municipality of Weert is currently in discussions with the Brainport region to achieve structural cooperation (in the areas of living, working, accessibility and facilities). The growing pains that this region is experiencing are already having an impact on Weert. Weert wants to take responsibility and embrace the growth of its city in terms of living and working, in keeping with Weert’s uniqueness.”

Walking and cycling centrally

To realize these plans, existing companies must be relocated. To achieve this, a new industrial estate including energy generation must be developed before 2030. A major densification task for housing can then be achieved at the vacant location. In addition, through routes will be cut up at a number of locations within the ring road to encourage walking and cycling and to enhance the quality of life. Motorists will then be guided along the ring road around the city to relieve congestion in the city center. They are taken to the relevant side of the center via specific ‘pick-ups’ (access roads from the ring road).

In short: walking and cycling should become leading in the new railway zone of Weert, where the railway is tunnelled under and a green heart for living and working is created above ground. This way the city as a whole can continue to grow and at the same time retain the Weerter character.

Future

Minister De Jonge has announced that Limburg will be included as a search area for Large-scale Housing in the preliminary draft of the Spatial Planning Policy. This means that the ‘Limburg Central’ report, from which the above plans originate, will be taken a step further and agreements will be made during the upcoming consultations with various ministries in June this year.

View the full report here (PDF): https://wdg.li/5tz3jgn