News item | 6/14/2023 | 06:30
The Limburg area near Baarlo and Hout-Blerick faces various challenges in the areas of water safety, nature and quality of life. To tackle these challenges, Minister Harbers (Infrastructure and Water Management) and the project partners have now taken a so-called preference decision.
This means that the project is now ready for the next phase, in which the plan is worked out in concrete terms.
Minister Harbers: “Extreme weather is becoming more and more common, the heavy showers of 2021 in Limburg are still clear in our minds. I think we should do our best to protect the land against the water as much as possible. In this case we take several measures at once. Dikes are reinforced, added to and moved. In doing so, we give the river more space, which, in addition to water safety, has positive consequences for water quality and nature. This makes the area near Baarlo and Hout-Blerick safer, while we also use other opportunities.”
Tackle tasks in one go
The area faces challenges in the areas of water safety, nature and quality of life. The preference decision includes plans to address these three issues. For example, the dyke in Hout-Blerick will be moved inland, while new dykes will be constructed in Baarlo Central and South. In addition, the current dike will be reinforced.
Furthermore, the water quality is improved. Seepage channels will be constructed, which are extra channels along the water in which plants and animals can live. The mouth of the Kwistbeek is also being redesigned to create better conditions for plants and animals that originally belong in the stream. In addition, attention will also be paid to the redevelopment of the area at Hummerenweg, with a focus on possible demolition of greenhouses and other industrial buildings and a search for new functions that are suitable for the area.
Three tasks are still being investigated in the elaboration of this programme. First of all, it is examined whether additional seepage channels can be added. Secondly, a safe and future-proof design of the central area of Laerbroeck is being investigated. Finally, research is being done into rebuilding locations for the homes in the Laerbroeck area that have to make way for the water.
Project partners
The partners in this project are: Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rijkswaterstaat, Water Board Limburg, Province of Limburg, Municipality of Peel en Maas and Municipality of Venlo.