Where in Zuidas
The A4 and the A10 Zuid in the direction of Utrecht/Hengelo will be closed for eight days in August. This is something that the people who live, work or study in Zuidas will have to adapt to. But they’re not the only ones. What happens if you want to (or indeed have to) pay a visit to the courthouse? And think of all the international visitors who want to get to Zuidas from Schiphol airport. Of course, there’s information available in English for them, but the area is still unfamiliar to them. ‘Imagine you’ve just landed from Spain’, says Sjoerd Sybesma, general manager of the INNSiDE Hotel by Meliá in Eduard van Beinumstraat that opened in 2020. ‘Good signposting and traveller information are crucial in cases like this.’
The proof is in the eating
Sometimes, the works in Zuidas call for some serious adaptation. The neighbourhood is developing into an area where people not only work and study, but where increasing numbers of people also live. Let’s also not forget about the tourism. Sybesma: ‘It can be annoying that the work is done at quieter times in the evening and at weekends in order to limit disruption. Because that’s precisely when our guests are inconvenienced by it. The same also applies to the residents, of course.’ The good news is that the information provided by the City of Amsterdam is excellent, believes Sybesma. But still: ‘It’s always a case of waiting and see how things go, because the proof of the pudding is in the eating.’
Google Maps and public transport
Proper information also matters to Erik Tuijp, accommodation programme manager at the courthouse in Parnassusweg. ‘The schedules for the court sessions are announced well in advance, preventing us from factoring in delays caused by traffic disruption.’ The staff have therefore been notified by means of internal newsletters, which refer them to the articles on this website detailing the diversions. Visitors to the courthouse’s own website are advised to use Google Maps and public transport.
Safety
At the courthouse, particular attention is also being paid to safety and security. This is also because of access to the courthouse, such as in the case of prisoner transport. Tuijp: ‘We communicate promptly and frequently with the police and transport services about traffic disruption. Where necessary, they can adjust their services and routes.’ Speaking of adjusting routes: navigation systems, like Waze and TomTom Go are being specially adapted for these works. Motorists will be automatically guided to the appropriate diversion route.
Empathy
The guests at hotel INNSiDE regularly take the train from Schiphol airport to Zuidas. The metros and buses are running a normal service, but the railway timetable has been modified. Sybesma: ‘We inform our guests around two weeks in advance. If you do it sooner than that, there’s a risk they’ll be deterred and actually cancel the booking. That’s a pity, because Zuidas is a fantastic location for Amsterdam tourists. But they do need to be properly informed.’ Sybesma is also keen to stress that good signposting is also incredibly important for guests travelling by car. ‘It sounds simple, but it matters a lot: just try to empathise with the users of this area and the obstacles they have to face.’
More attractive Amsterdam Zuid station
‘I may be risking a backlash here, but in my experience, the works tend to be completed on schedule’, says Tuijp. He also understands the need for the eight-day closure of the A10: ‘The Zuidasdok work is simply unavoidable if we want to have a better Amsterdam Zuid station.’ Does he think that he himself will be inconvenienced by the diversions or limited railway services? Tuijp laughs: ‘I’ll be on holiday during that period.’
Travel advice
- Work or stay at home if possible
- If you can, travel by bike or public transport
- Before you set off, check 9292.nl, NS travel planner, Waze, Google Maps of Tom Tom Go
- Ask askandgo.nl for personal travel advice
Ask&Go
- Scan the QR code or visit www.askandgo.nl for bespoke travel advice
- Start a Whatsapp chat with Ask&Go Zuidasdok (085-0659091)
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Come along to the Zuidas Zomer Keet
Starting on 20 July 2023, the Zuidas Zomer Keet (Zuidas Summer Shack) will be back in Gustav Mahlerplein. Here, we will tell you about the works happening in the summer. But there’s also much more: guided tours, workshops and tuktuk rides. View the programme and don’t miss it!
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