New transfer hub d’Ouwe Kabel boosts accessibility to Kinderdijk World Heritage site
Residents and tourists visiting Kinderdijk can now enjoy easier access and less traffic congestion, thanks to the newly opened transfer hub d’Ouwe Kabel. The hub offers parking, shuttle buses, and bike rentals, improving mobility while preserving the livability of nearby neighborhoods.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | d’Ouwe Kabel |
| Location | Beneath the on-ramp of the Bridge over the Noord, Alblasserdam |
| Parking Capacity | 250 spaces for cars, campers, and buses |
| Transport Options | Shuttle bus, (shared) bicycle, future public transport connection |
| Opening Date | March 11, 2026 |
| Funding Source | Regio Deal Drechtsteden-Gorinchem |
| Operated By | Kinderdijk World Heritage Foundation |
| Municipalities Involved | Alblasserdam, Molenlanden |
| Naming Contest Winner | Local resident (name not disclosed) |
The Municipality of Alblasserdam, in collaboration with the Kinderdijk World Heritage Foundation, plays a key role in managing visitor flows to the UNESCO-listed site. Their efforts focus on balancing tourism with the quality of life for local residents. The Regio Deal Drechtsteden-Gorinchem supports regional projects like this to enhance sustainable mobility and economic growth.
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The new transfer hub d’Ouwe Kabel officially opened!
Yesterday, Alderman Ramon Pardo of the Municipality of Alblasserdam and Managing Director Peter-Jan van Steenbergen of the Kinderdijk World Heritage Foundation officially opened the new transfer hub in Alblasserdam. During the opening, the new name was also unveiled: d’Ouwe Kabel, referring to the old cable factory that is so closely connected to the area where the transfer hub is located. With this milestone, an important step has been taken in improving the accessibility of the Kinderdijk World Heritage site and reducing traffic pressure in the surrounding residential areas.
New central transfer point to Kinderdijk
The transfer hub is located beneath the on-ramp of the Bridge over the Noord (Kabelbaan 1, Alblasserdam) and will now serve as the central transfer point for visitors to the Kinderdijk World Heritage site. The site offers around 250 parking spaces for cars, campers, and buses and serves as a sustainable alternative to parking in the town centre and on the dike, where traffic pressure has increased significantly in recent years. Visitors can easily continue their journey from the transfer hub by shuttle bus or (shared) bicycle. In a later phase, a connection to public transport will also be established.
Importance for the region
The transfer hub is part of the visitor management strategy for the Kinderdijk World Heritage site. The municipalities of Molenlanden and Alblasserdam are working together with the Kinderdijk World Heritage Foundation to ensure good accessibility to the World Heritage site while also considering the livability of the surrounding communities. The transfer hub helps manage visitor flows and thus contributes to sustainable tourism development. The Kinderdijk World Heritage Foundation operates the transfer hub.
Made possible with support from the Regio Deal
The realisation of the transfer hub was financially supported by the Regio Deal Drechtsteden-Gorinchem, which enabled the Municipality of Alblasserdam to carry out this project. This Regio Deal is intended to jointly address regional challenges, such as improving sustainable mobility, livability, innovation, and strengthening the local economy.
Creative input from residents
Residents of Alblasserdam were invited to submit suggestions for the name of the transfer hub. The municipality received dozens of creative and fitting ideas. From these submissions, the name d’Ouwe Kabel was ultimately chosen—a name that, according to the municipal executive, suits the character and function of the new transfer hub. The final name was unveiled yesterday in a festive ceremony in the presence of the lucky winner of the naming contest.