UTRECHT – The news that the cabinet is continuing with the plans for widening the A27 at Amelisweerd hit many Utrecht residents like a bomb this afternoon. Not only residents are disappointed, local politicians also prefer an alternative plan. Even the ‘car party’ VVD hints at that. But at the same time, Utrecht councilors think that the soup is not eaten as hot when it is served: they do not expect that the expansion will really continue.
GroenLinks, the largest party in the Utrecht city council with nine seats, describes the news as ‘absurd and bizarre’. Councilor Pepijn Zwanenberg says that he did not see the message from Minister Harbers coming at all. “I don’t think this was the agreement. Utrecht has very clearly indicated that it does not want this. Not only GroenLinks, but also other council parties. Widening it is too expensive and at the expense of many trees.”
Minister Harbers of Infrastructure (VVD) said in a letter this afternoon that he will further develop the plans for the highway widening. There are too many traffic jams on the A27 near the Lunetten junction. The coalition agreement still gave room for alternative plans. Those plans had to come from local or provincial politicians. But to date, those plans have not met the requirements for road safety, among other things, says Harbers.
Believe me: I won’t rest until the widening is finally off the track.
D66 keeps hope
Yet Susanne Schilderman on behalf of D66 Utrecht is hopeful. She says that making alternative plans takes time and that those plans can be seriously considered at a later date. “I don’t think this is a final step in the wrong direction. And believe me: I won’t rest until the widening is finally off the track.”
Schilderman thinks the ministry is under pressure from the Council of State. Ultimately, they must decide whether or not the project will go ahead. “The minister is asked by the Council of State: what do you want with the route decision? The moment the minister says: I am still looking at an alternative, then the route decision would be annulled,” says Schilderman. “Then it is impossible for broadening to continue. The minister does not want that, of course. So I see his letter in that light.”
Professor calls for postponement
The D66 councilor is supported by professor of transport policy at TU Delft Bert van Wee. He says it is not unusual for Minister Harbers to make preparations for the widening, even if it is not yet certain that it will go ahead. “So that he can speed up if a positive decision is made.”
I don’t think delay is a problem. Then you can take a look at what is happening now that the pandemic seems to be over.
Yet Van Wee Utrechters also warns: “If a politician takes more and more steps in a certain direction, it becomes more difficult to reverse. Then you maneuver in the direction of a positive decision.”
If it is up to Van Wee, the cabinet will postpone the decision on whether or not to broaden it for one or two years. “I don’t think that is a problem, especially since it is a decision that is so controversial. Then you can see what happens now that the pandemic seems to be over.” Van Wee is referring to the number of road users. Because of the home working advice, it was relatively quiet on the Dutch highways for a long time. The question is to what extent the traffic jams will return. “You build such a road for many decades.”
Even VVD does not necessarily want to broaden
The fact that Utrecht is not particularly enthusiastic about the widening of the highway is apparent from the fact that even the local VVD is cautiously skeptical. Traditionally, that party wants to give a lot of space to car drivers, but in this file, party leader Marijn de Pagter is happy to look at alternatives. And just like his D66 colleague Susanne Schilderman, he has confidence in those plans that have yet to be forged.
“We are still working on it,” says De Pagter. “And the VVD is also participating in it. I understand from the alderman that they will come in the autumn.” The party chairman says that he will ‘heartily support’ if suitable plans are made to ensure that no trees have to be felled in Amelisweerd.