Where in Zuidas
Following a long period of preparation, we will be starting work on a safe and greener Wielingenstraat after the summer holidays. In a survey conducted in August 2020, around 200 residents gave their views on what they wanted to see from a new design for the street. This resulted in a provisional design last year and we received a range of feedback on this at a walk-in evening in late 2021. Now, the definitive design has been completed.
What local residents want
Residents and people living near Wielingenstraat feel that traffic safety for cyclists is important and they also want to retain parking spaces and reduce the speed of traffic. They would also like to see more emphasis on greenery. Many of their requests have been included in the design, but not all. In the design process, the safety of cyclists took precedence over the retention of the wide pavement – both of which the local residents were keen to see. But there is not sufficient space for both of them, which is why the pavement is forfeiting a little space to make way for a separate cycle path. This has the added advantage of allowing the existing trees to stay.
Permanently reduced freight traffic
During major trade fairs, the neighbourhood suffers from disruption from the freight traffic travelling to and from the RAI. For this reason, there were close and intensive consultations with the RAI and these were not without result. Since traffic in one direction (easterly) will no longer be possible during the work on Wielingenstraat, the RAI is creating an exit for freight traffic in Europaboulevard. The RAI intends to make this temporary situation permanent. This means there will be a significant reduction in freight traffic in Wielingenstraat also over the longer term.
Safer and greener
In the future, cyclists using Wielingenstraat will be significantly safer thanks to the separate cycle path. The car lanes will also look slightly narrower because of new road markings and the creation of a wide, green central reservation. This will be less likely to encourage fast driving while also preventing parking on the central reservation at busy times, which can be a problem in the current situation. At the same time, the street will be given a greener look. The new strip of green land alongside the RAI in front of hall 5 will also contribute to that, with four new plane trees and the green undergrowth. Work on that has already started and will be completed by mid-September. The maintenance work on Wielingenstraat is expected to start at the end of August 2022 and will last around eight months.
Walk-in meeting on Monday, 11 July
We will be happy to answer your questions at a walk-in meeting. Register in advance by email at contact@zuidas.nl quoting ‘Spreekuur Wielingenstraat’.
Date: Monday 11 July 2022
Time: 19.00 – 20.00
Location: Vrijburg Church, Van Hillekamer (entrance at Herman Gorterstraat 31, corner of Diepenbrockstraat)
Give your opinion