The work on Lomanlaan, Boekweitlaan and Buizerdlaan is progressing steadily. Speed limiting measures are being introduced in these streets. The municipality expects that, weather permitting, the work will be completed in the week of November 24.
“That of course depends a bit on the weather,” says a spokesperson for the municipality. “For example, if it starts to freeze now, it will take a little longer. The first phase, Buizerdlaan, will apparently be ready at the end of next week and Lomanlaan and Boekweitlaan a week later.”
Street race
The three streets were regularly used by motorists as a racing track. This created many dangerous situations. For example, children could not cross the streets independently to the nearby schools. Accidents also occurred regularly. For example, a 78-year-old cyclist lost his life in December 2020 after being hit by a 22-year-old motorist. A few months later in March 2021, a 48-year-old Hoogeven resident was seriously injured in an accident on Boekweitlaan. It was later revealed that the cause of this was a street race. A man from Hoogeveen and a man from the municipality of Westerveld were prosecuted for this. Both were found guilty and received a prison sentence and a driving ban.
Local residents have been pushing for years to tackle the streets that are popularly called ‘the race track’. Their wish has now finally come true.