Utrecht residents to protest against widening A27 near Amelisweerd

With the slogan #RedAmelisweerdNu, a coalition of residents and environmental organisations is organising a demonstration at Dom Square from 2:00 pm on Saturday. They are making a final attempt to change the government's mind.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Barry Madlener, would like to go ahead with the plans to widen the A27 motorway. Hundreds of trees will have to be cut down to achieve this. People in Utrecht and neighbouring cities have been resisting these plans for years: aside from the damage to nature, they fear an increase in noise and air pollution.

Two weeks ago, Madlener rejected an alternative plan drafted by the Utrecht province and municipalities in the Utrecht region. This plan foresaw an expansion of the number of lanes within the existing tunnel, among other things. As a result, the maximum speed would be reduced to 80 kilometres per hour. According to that plan, the use of public transport in the city should also be stimulated. This alternative approach would be hundreds of millions of euros cheaper.

To the dissatisfaction of regional administrators, nature and environmental organisations, and action groups, the minister is sticking to the original plan, saying that expansion from 10 to 14 lanes would be better for traffic safety. The minister also believes it is important to have a higher speed limit. 

The Council of State will consider the project next week. Ultimately, the Parliament will make a final decision.

Trees in Amelisweerd were also sacrificed when the A27 motorway was built at the end of the 20th century. Students slept in tree houses to prevent trees from being cut down. Current protesters have similar plans to protect the forest in this way.