The speed limit is to go up to 130 kph on 19 more stretches of road in February next year, the infrastructure ministry said on Thursday.

This mean that 61% of the country’s motorways will have a maximum speed of 130 kph, compared with just under half at present. The eventual target is 71%.

The new speed limit will apply on parts of the A2 in Brabant and Limburg as well as parts of the A28 between Hoogeveen, Assen and Groningen and between Zwolle, Harderwijk and Amersfoort. On some stretches the higher limit will apply at night only.

Infrastructure minister Melanie Schultz also aims to put up the limit on the A2 between Amsterdam and Utrecht but that depends on the outcome of a court case. Locals say the higher limit will lead to more noise and pollution.