There is not yet a direct train from Zwolle to Münster in Germany. That is why State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen of Infrastructure was a guest in Twente yesterday. Directors of the Twente Board, the province of Overijssel, the Zwolle region and EUREGIO appealed to the State Secretary to make a new train connection possible by expressing financial and political support.
Diesel trains are still running across the border in Germany. That is about to change: the Germans are switching to an electric grid. That offers opportunities, say the directors. Because the Netherlands already has an electric grid. Now travelers still have to transfer at Enschede station if they want to cross the border. If electric driving is used on both sides, the nets can be linked together.
To this end, the Netherlands must provide electricity for the stretch from Enschede to the German border. Because until now a German diesel train always ran there, it has never been built. Cost: 70 million euros. A small amount given the opportunity it offers, says project manager Tjeu Semmekrot of EUREGIO Rail.
Billions
“Better connecting the regions provides enormous growth opportunities”, says Semmekrot. “The border regions in Drenthe and Overijssel are rather closed systems. An example: If a store opens in Enschede, one in Hengelo has to close. We are at the limits of growth. You can only improve that by improving the connections between regions. “
The stretch of track from the German border also ensures that Hengelo becomes an important junction. The train from Dortmund can then continue to Hengelo. The Amsterdam-Berlin intercity also stops there. “So you connect a lot of regions in this way. In The Hague they think this will cost billions, in practice it is 70 million euros,” Semmekrot continues. “And that can be even lower if we get European subsidies. You just have to have the right papers and show that you are also prepared to invest. That is now up to State Secretary Heijnen.”
Useful for Drenthe
According to Semmekrot, improved rail connection Southwest Drenthe can help further. “If we realize the connection, it will have major advantages for the Zwolle region and therefore for Meppel and the surrounding area. It will lead to economic growth and a growth in tourism from Germany. It also makes the region liveable and attractive. Unfortunately, you see that a lot of talent from the North and East to the Randstad. If cities in our regions become better connected, it will be more attractive to stay there.”
There is also contact with Southeast Drenthe. “We are busy with better railway lines to Coevorden and Hardenberg. If Drenthe, Overijssel and the German municipalities work together, we can tackle the greatest possible problem. That makes it easier for people to travel and that is much needed, because it is not yet simple. The border still represents a major barrier to both travel and the economy. It’s time we break that.”
In the short term, the Zwolle and Twente region want to pay a working visit to the German ministry in Berlin to smooth out the last folds. If the realization is successful, the first trains can run from 2028.
Mayor Richard Korteland van Meppel is also vice-chairman of the Zwolle Region. In that role, he was present at the meeting with State Secretary Heijnen. He could not be reached for comment.