Billions for super-fast Lelylijn from Groningen to Amsterdam
The coalition agreement has news for Groningen. The new cabinet has reserved money for the Lelylijn, the superfast train connection with the Randstad. The province of Groningen reports this this afternoon.
The new cabinet sees the importance of improved rail connections to and from the Northern Netherlands. During the period, the cabinet will work out how the Lely Line can contribute to strengthening the economy, new residential areas and international rail connections. Three billion has been set aside for financing.
The government is also looking at co-financing from the region and from European funds. “That is good news for the North, because for some time now the region has shown the importance of a better connection with the rest of the country,” said King’s Commissioner René Paas in Groningen. With the new railway, the travel time between the North and the Randstad will be approximately 40 minutes shorter.
“By working on better connections between the region and the Randstad, such as the construction of the Lelylijn, the entire country will benefit. Do we want to have a lot to offer each other? We can realize a quarter of the national housing task here, because we have space here. By reducing distances we stimulate our economy. A win-win that we would rather start working on today than tomorrow,” said the chairman of the Northern Netherlands Partnership, Commissioner of the King René Paas.
Energy for the North
The billions announced for the energy transition also offer opportunities for the Northern Netherlands, says Paas. The cabinet is looking at the possibilities of hydrogen and aquathermal energy. For example, the coalition agreement states that the new cabinet is scaling up the production and import of hydrogen.
The Northern Netherlands is referred to by Brussels as the European Hydrogen Valley, and therefore encourages this choice. Efforts are also being made to increase sustainability in and around the house, which the residents immediately notice, including through insulation measures.
The strength of the region
The Northern Netherlands is also with the continuation of the Regional Deals. In these deals, the central government works together with the region on social issues. Including in the field of sustainability, health, digitization and the circular economy. The North is pre-eminently the frontrunner for realizing circular chain projects, the region is pleased that structural resources have been reserved for this.