The municipality of Aa en Hunze will try as quickly as possible to make a dangerous intersection in Rolde safer for traffic. Two years ago, 15-year-old Anne Schut from Balloo was killed in a collision at the crossing point for cyclists on Asserstraat and Tumuliboslaan. An emotional appeal from her father ensures that the municipality is now making haste.
The intersection is extremely confusing due to the many trees close to the road. Cyclists cannot see clearly whether cars are coming when crossing the road and the same applies the other way around. In addition, many cars often drive faster than allowed. Soon after the fatal accident in September 2023, the municipality wanted to have six trees cut down, but a number of residents successfully objected to this.
However, the municipality has now installed signs with a lower recommended speed and flashing lights to warn motorists of the dangerous intersection. But according to Jeroen Schut, Anne’s father, that is not enough. “Several children and adults risk their lives every day. It is still not safe. Limiting the speed has no influence on it,” he told the council members.
His story clearly made an impression on the council members. Municipal interests Aa and Hunze, VVD and PvdA want to urgently make the intersection safer. The town hall has been discussing tackling the Asserstraat for years, but the research and decisions required for this take time.
In addition, the Groningen-Drenthe Public Transport Bureau is critical of the municipality’s plans to reduce the speed on part of Asserstraat from 50 to 30 kilometers per hour. The buses that drive through Rolde will then take longer to reach their destination. The public transport agency is considering canceling the bus routes through the village if that plan goes ahead.
“We know that a structural solution is complex,” says councilor Greet Oosterhuis (GBAH). She wants a separate solution for the dangerous intersection, separate from the rest of Asserstraat. “The risks are present every day and in the meantime, too little is happening to make the situation safer.” She proposes installing a traffic light with a push button for cyclists at the intersection in the short term.
Councilor Richard Heling (VVD) acknowledges that something really needs to be done now and promises to quickly get started on measures for the intersection. “We will give priority to what can be done. Work is already underway on the traffic light proposal.”