On Friday, January 30, State Secretary Thierry Aartsen received the first copy of the Lelylijn Masterplan. He received the plan from René Paas, chairman of the Lelylijn Steering Committee. At the same time, Lelylijn envoy Klaas Knot presented his financial advice. Knot investigated the possibilities and impossibilities of financing and funding the Lelylijn.
Advice from Klaas Knot
Klaas Knot advises the new cabinet to cover 90% of the costs by saving 600 million euros per year until 2049. This should be done by annually depositing 400 million euros into a Savings Regional Fund. The remaining 10 percent comes from regional contributions and other forms of financing.
According to Knot, the Lelylijn is important for economic growth, housing, business activity, accessibility, and cohesion in the Netherlands.
Lelylijn Masterplan
The Masterplan looks both broadly and in detail at the Lelylijn. By looking 100 years ahead, new insights have been mapped out. In addition, it zooms in on four complex station locations with associated area development. It also examines how the Lelylijn can be paid for and financed. The plan shows that clarity about the Lelylijn is important for choices regarding living and economy in Northern Netherlands and that a savings model is advised.
Significance for the Region
For Flevoland, the Masterplan means that all information for a follow-up decision is now available. Together with the MIRT study, the ball is in the new cabinets court. The cabinet will decide whether the next phase starts: a MIRT exploration.