Another animal has been killed by a car on the Drentsedijk, the road that runs straight through the Onlanden nature reserve. This time it is about a young fox. The new incident reinforces the call from nature organizations to make the road car-free.
According to ranger Bart Zwiers of Natuurmonumenten, the death of the fox is part of a broader and long-standing problem on the route. “It is yet another reason that we and the De Onlanden Nature Interest Foundation really want no cars to drive here. Many more collisions happen here.”
According to him, motorized traffic is not necessary in the area. “It’s fine if you’re here as a cyclist or walker. But what bothers me is that you have no business in the Onlanden with a car or motorcycle. This road doesn’t connect anything.”
“It was once constructed to provide access to agricultural plots, but that is no longer necessary. The current situation is very different from then,” said the forester.
Another route in the area, the Noorddijk, was previously closed to car and motorcycle traffic due to a narrowing. “But this has not reduced the crowds on the Drentsedijk. And that unfortunately also results in collisions,” Zwiers sighs.
“In many cases you don’t even see those victims again. Many animals that are hit by motorized traffic run into the field and ultimately die there.”
The forester states that Natuurmonumenten has repeatedly contacted the municipality of Noordenveld to tackle the road. “We have expressed our concerns several times to the municipality, as forest rangers we can do that like no other. But we have never really had a direct answer to it.”
According to Zwiers, the responsibility now lies with politicians. “It is not our turn, critical questions will have to be asked in the municipal council. The road does not have to disappear, but you should not want motorized traffic here.”