DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

22 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Cabinet puts Lelystad to Groningen railway link on ice

November 7, 2024
Photo: Depositphotos.com

The cabinet is calling a halt to further research on plans to build a railway link between Lelystad and Groningen, much to the disappointment of the three northern provinces.

Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe have been calling for a direct route north for some 60 years. “We are disappointed and surprised,” Groningen king’s commissioner René Paas told RTV Noord.

The king’s commissions were told of the government’s decision on Wednesday, Paas said. “The cabinet does not want to take a decision at the present time,” he said. “It needs time. But we did not get a proper answer to our questions about what happens now.”

The project, and an additional railway route east, are now on hold, he told the broadcaster.

Plans to develop the track were included in party manifestos, the coalition agreement and were mentioned in the king’s speech opening the current parliamentary year. However, the ministers responsible for its development have now pulled the plug.

The infrastructure ministry said in September that the Lelylijn route would cost almost €14 billion but only €3 billion has so far been allocated to the project. A further railway, linking Groningen to Enschede on the German border, would cost €1.7 billion.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Economy Germany Groningen Trains
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Fewer international students starting bachelor degrees in NL
MPs urge cabinet to join banned Pride march in Budapest
Dutch house prices up 10% on a year ago, latest figures show
Foundations and the future: what you need to think about
Highway to hell: confessions of a would-be Ring reveller
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now