What can the residents of Wijk aan Zee have to say against major players such as Tata Steel and TenneT? And how do these companies position themselves towards the village? In the new podcast series Never rest on the coast six young journalists are looking for answers to those questions.
In Wijk aan Zee, residents have been living together with industry for decades. Sometimes in harmony and sometimes in conflict. In the past period there has been a lot of tension between residents of Wijk aan Zee, industry and the decision-making process surrounding it.
In three episodes, students from the School of Journalism delve into the ups and downs of the striking coastal village. This weekend they are also organizing a discussion evening in Wijk aan Zee about the future (see box below). The podcast includes here to listen.
The secret of Wijk aan Zee
In episode one ‘Abundance’ journalists Annabel van der Louw and Ties Wijnen are introduced to the village of Wijk aan Zee. Residents and stakeholders tell about the history, the village culture and the friction with the industry from Tata Steel and TenneT, among others. Why is the village so loved by the inhabitants while they are so heavily burdened by industry?
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Tata Steel, seen from Wijk aan Zee
Activities TenneT
Tennet Wijk aan Zee
dichotomy
In episode two ‘Stank, dust and steel’ journalists Marjolein Jansen and Kelly Leewis show the complicated relationship between Tata Steel and the residents of Wijk aan Zee. The steel company is next to an important employer namely also a major polluter. Can the bond between Tata Steel and the residents still be restored?
Huge transformer station
In episode three ‘Under tension’ journalists Veerle Boekestein and Lisa van der Velde delve into the arrival of the transformer station from grid operator TenneT to Wijk aan Zee. This distribution station of 23 football fields is being built on the former site of Tata Steel. Some of the residents is concerned about noise pollutionhow does TenneT deal with this?
The podcast can now be listened to in full on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and at NH Radio.
Talk evening
Following the podcast series, a discussion evening is organized by the creators of the podcast. During this evening the conversation about the future will be opened. Do the current democratic processes work for these kinds of big decisions? And what ideas are there to change this?
Everyone is welcome on Sunday evening 6 November in Dorpscafé de Zon at 7 p.m., in Wijk aan Zee.