Dutch road and power line projects face local opposition in Hazerswoude‑Dorp and De Moer

Provincial and municipal authorities are moving ahead with the N207‑South road project near Hazerswoude‑Dorp, a €97 million provincial investment with a €16.4 million contribution from Alphen aan den Rijn. The plan adds a new roundabout, a bike bridge and re‑routes traffic, but local officials and residents argue the changes will not solve congestion and will increase costs, prompting heated debate in the municipal council.

At the same time, TenneT is progressing with an 80‑kilometre high‑voltage line between Rilland and Tilburg that will cut through the Huis ter Heide nature reserve near De Moer. About 30 hectares of trees – roughly 40 football fields – will be removed, and nearby residents warn of noise and visual impact. The project, described as of national importance for transporting offshore wind power, is slated for operation between 2031 and 2034, with mitigation measures such as re‑planting and a reduced‑size construction hub under discussion.