A petition to stop the construction of a cycle path along a ditch in Meppel has now been signed more than 1,100 times. Various organizations are also critical and in the meantime a second local action group has risen against the plans. Nevertheless, the municipality of Meppel wants to construct the cycle path.
It is pretty much the conversation in the Oosterboer residential area in Meppel. The construction of a cycle path, which comes parallel to the current cycle path. That new path will then lie along a ditch, with a row of trees on the other side. The current cycle path is on the other side of the trees. The current path would be too unsafe and therefore the municipality wants to adjust it. To the great dissatisfaction of local residents, who see the danger in the new plans.
The cycle path is also a driveway for a farm. The resident says it is not wide enough for cyclists and for her car. Earlier she said to see angry faces of cyclists every day when she drives in her driveway.
Especially that the cycle path will be lying along a ditch evokes fear. Local residents are afraid that children, the ditch borders on two primary schools, will invade the water. Laying a fence between the cycle path and the ditch is not possible, because the water board cannot dredge the ditch.
Because there was so much criticism of the plans and there was a petition with more than 900 signatures at the time, the municipality pressed the pause button. The developments were stopped and new research was announced into the situation. That research is now ready and the conclusion is: continue with the original plan. “We are back”, the initiators of the petition grumble.
A second action group, containing local residents, is now also committed to the cycle path. This group says it has contact with both the owner of the farm and the initiators of the petition, but operates independently of the petition initiators. The group is angry that the municipality now opts for the original plan, while in their eyes there are two better alternatives. It is a passing strip on the road, which by the way has not been investigated, and the construction of a new driveway. This would be on the other side of the farm, so that the cycle path can remain.
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