Residents of Dalen had to work on the plan for almost five years, but this year something finally seems to be happening about the confusing traffic situation at the ‘t Grootveld sports park, just outside the village. “We now have the municipality on board and there is 100 percent support from all users of the sports park. So we will be rolling up our sleeves in the near future.”
This is what Folkert Sinnema says, who has been concerned about access to the sports park on Dalerveensestraat on behalf of a road safety working group within Dorpsbelangen Dalen since 2019. That year, the traffic situation was included on a priority list during an inspection by residents and traffic experts through the village. “The unsafe situation was known and we agreed that something would be done about it. To date, this has not happened.”
What’s going on at the sports park? “The problem is that we have to deal with many different traffic flows on the site in front of the park,” Sinnema explains. “Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians cross each other almost to the entrance of the park. On busy days it is an ant’s nest and everyone has to pay close attention.”
In recent years it has become increasingly busy in and around the sports park. “The location is used intensively for football, volleyball, tennis, padel, badminton and judo, among other things. And then there is also a running group, a gymnastics club and an ice skating club. Apart from that, the complex has a multifunctional character and occasionally serves also for music performances and activities.”