The Limburg State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen of Infrastructure (CDA) is sincerely looking into the dossier of the electrification of the track between Weert and Hamont in Belgium-Limburg.
“I need space for that. In the autumn I will decide what to do in consultation with the province,” said Heijnen in a House Committee on the railways.
Also read: Weert-Hamont train connection: ‘Big step forward’
plea
She responded to a plea from VVD MP Fahid Minas to finally take steps for the realization of a number of cross-border lines. He called for an action plan to be drawn up. According to him, a decisive step can be taken quickly for Weert-Hamont. “The House of Representatives always adopts motions in favor of cross-border connections, but they disappear in research and analyses. That must come to an end,” said Minas.
Electrification
The electrification of the nine kilometers of track between Weert and Hamont was included in the coalition agreement of the previous Rutte cabinet five years ago. It provides a direct connection to Antwerp and to Belgian travelers with the intercity trains to Eindhoven and Randstad. But the costs are higher than expected. Rail manager ProRail speaks of 150 million euros.
Also read: Province is shocked by cost calculation for rail Weert-Hamont
Cheaper
The province, the municipality of Weert and the Association of Rail Passengers and Transport think that it can be done much cheaper. They also see plenty of opportunities for European subsidies. They also submitted a petition about this to the House of Representatives last week. State Secretary Heijnen now has to make a decision about this.
Also read: Attention again for train connection Weert-Antwerp
Issues
This also applies to the Arriva train that has to run between Eindhoven, Heerlen and Aachen. In principle, there is agreement on this, but a number of practical problems have surfaced, such as the track that is already busy at a number of pressures, according to the State Secretary. “I can’t do magic. But I will look at it again with extra attention because the connection with Aachen is very important,” Heijnen stated in the parliamentary committee.
‘obstacle course’
Maarten Goudzwaard of JA21 in particular insisted on a definitive yes to what he called ‘this obstacle course’. “Keep that knot because it pinches. Stop muddling through,” said Goudzwaard.
International project
State Secretary Heijnen further pointed out in the debate that she has agreed with her colleagues in Belgium and Germany to examine what concrete can be achieved with cross-border rail connections.
“We know how long it can take before international public transport projects are realised. Drivers often say how important they are, but when push comes to shove, they are not realized quickly,” said State Secretary Heijnen. She hopes to break that pattern.