Overijssel tackles heavy traffic nuisance along Almelo-De Haandrik Canal with immediate measures
Residents along the Almelo-De Haandrik Canal face daily disruptions from heavy traffic and speeding. Local governments are now taking action with road repairs, speed reduction campaigns, and long-term plans to improve livability in the area.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Almelo-De Haandrik Canal, Overijssel |
| Main Issue | Heavy traffic and speeding causing nuisance to residents |
| Identified Bottlenecks | 9 specific locations along the canal |
| Immediate Measures | Road repairs (e.g., Gerard Nijlandstraat, Kerkstraat, Kanaalweg-Oost/West) |
| Behavioral Campaign | Targeted campaign to reduce speeding, involving LTO Noord and business groups |
| Long-Term Plans | Further elaboration on costs, planning, and resident involvement |
| Government Involvement | Municipalities of Hellendoorn, Hardenberg, and Province of Overijssel |
The province of Overijssel and local municipalities are responsible for maintaining infrastructure and ensuring livability in the region. This includes addressing traffic-related nuisances and collaborating with residents and businesses to implement sustainable solutions.
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Read the full translated article below
Study reveals bottlenecks caused by heavy traffic along the Almelo-De Haandrik Canal
Residents experience significant nuisance from heavy traffic along the Almelo-De Haandrik Canal. Municipalities and the province therefore commissioned a study. The results indicate where residents face nuisance and where the main bottlenecks lie. Municipalities and the province view the report as a starting point to reduce the nuisance caused by heavy traffic and improve livability around the canal.
Municipalities and province take action
The bottlenecks were identified based on experiences and discussions with residents and organisations, vehicle counts, and measured driving speeds. Municipalities and the province are taking the findings seriously and are collaborating to address them further. The approach focuses on the entire route along the canal, nine specific bottlenecks, and improvements through management and maintenance per municipality.
Immediate measures
During planned maintenance work, various municipalities will implement several immediate measures. For example, the municipality of Hellendoorn will repair the road surface of Gerard Nijlandstraat and Kerkstraat in the coming months. The municipality of Hardenberg will address parts of Kanaalweg-Oost and Kanaalweg-West over the next three years. The parties will also launch a targeted behavioural campaign in the short term to reduce speeding.
Speeding a major cause of nuisance
The study shows that drivers exceed the speed limit along the canal. For the behavioural campaign, municipalities and the province will collaborate with partners such as LTO Noord, Cumula (trade association for entrepreneurs in green, ground, and infrastructure), and the business community. The proposal includes clearer road design along the canal to help road users better recognise the speed limit. This measure will be further developed.
Further elaboration and investment needed
Addressing potential measures for specific bottlenecks also requires further elaboration, for example regarding costs, planning, and priority. Municipalities and the province aim to prevent the nuisance from shifting to other locations. Residents will be actively involved in addressing specific bottlenecks. Municipal councils and the Provincial Council will decide on the necessary investments once it is clear whether and how these bottlenecks can be addressed.
Investing in a livable canal area
The study and the approach to reducing nuisance from heavy traffic are part of the area-based approach for the Almelo-De Haandrik Canal. In addition to the study on heavy traffic, the province of Overijssel is working with the area on the future function of the canal. To improve livability, the province and municipalities will invest in village plans in the coming years.