Local residents made their worries known before and now also nature and environmental federation Drenthe has made themselves heard. They found each other in the opposition to the construction of a paved cycle path along the Oranjekanaal. In the hope that the municipality can still be persuaded and does not allow a concrete road along the historic sailing connection.
Paved paths and sandy roads alternate along the canal. It is precisely that last surface that is loved by local residents and nature lovers, because there is usually little traffic use. On the ‘law side’ of the canal you can relax, so it sounds in the area.
But just east of Hijken and south of Zwiggelte, Zuidveld and Orvelte there are parts where the concrete mill must be involved. At least, those are the provisional plans. Earlier this month, local residents went on the barricade and started a website to express their concerns. Pamphlets were also handed out.
The criticism is therefore shared by nature and environmental federation Drenthe, who now also turns to the municipality. The objections become clear in a letter. These focus, among other things, on the meaning that the sandy roads have, both cultural -historical and landscape.
In addition, a concrete road of 3 meters wide works, where cars and mopeds can pass, disadvantageous for biodiversity and disrupts peace on the quiet side of the canal, the environmental association states. “Harding of the valuable sandy roads is undesirable,” is their all -embracing message.
The plan to tackle the sandy path ‘On the Pacific side’ has been there for some time. In 2019 the project came to a halt due to understaffing, Corona and other priorities. “There are now possibilities and capacity, which is why we are now taking the time to restore the preparation and implementation of the plans,” the municipality said earlier to RTV Drenthe.