Platform Oude Riet speaking out

The Old Reed Platform is concerned about the impact of Lelylijn on nature. The platform calls attention to the stream valley system of the Oude Riet. These are streams, ditches and fossil remains of what was once an estuary that flowed inland from the Lauwerszee. Joost Eskes, secretary of Platform Oude Riet, explains why he is “not particularly enthusiastic” about the Lelylijn and what concerns there are.

What does Platform Oude Riet do?
“Our goal is to make the story of the waters in the stream valley system of the Oude Riet insightful, imaginable and experienceable. Along Dwarsdiep and Matsloot, the province and water board are establishing water storage and nature areas. Marumerlage (above Marum) was transformed into a beautiful nature area about ten years ago. This is the western part of the much-praised Groningse onlanden, also called ‘Groeningen’.

We organize meetings (congress, lectures), publish interviews and articles and speak to players in the decision-making process. Furthermore, we co-write about cultural-historical / tourist signs. Large infrastructural interventions, such as housing construction near Zuidhorn or the Lelylijn, therefore have our critical attention. As recently as April, the platform participated in an in-depth session of project organization Lelylijn for the Natura 2000 area Leekstermeer & Matsloot/Wespoort.”

What are Platform Old Reed’s specific concerns about the Lelylijn?
“De Lelylijn we see as a huge intervention in a fragile landscape. Of course, much depends on the choice of route. A route directly to the north of the A7 between Drachten and Groningen is the worst possible option for the Oude Riet river valley. Such a route threatens the Marumerlage but also nature development along Dwarsdiep. A route on the south side of the A7 creates other risks: to cross the railroad, many interventions will be necessary. In the Westerkwartier, this involves 15 mandatory, grade-separated crossings. A much more northerly route is less objectionable from our perspective. Still, we see each route as a new barrier in the landscape for people, fauna and flora.”

What advice would you give project organization Lelylijn?
“Our remit is limited to valley landscape Oude Riet. But a route from the Noordoostpolder via Heerenveen, Drachten and Leek to Groningen will affect many more nature areas. Peace, space and nature are the silverware of the North. This does not make us particularly enthusiastic for the Lelylijn. Its construction will involve years of construction activities. Once the train runs, we foresee many problems with noise pollution, about six times every hour. Whether the (small) time savings outweigh that?”

“For these more general objections, we refer to an early discussion contribution from the Platform in Noorderbreedte: ‘A wishful thinking becomes a specter’.
Should the Lelylijn be constructed, our Platform will carefully assess the consequences and demand compensatory measures if necessary. That will undoubtedly bring some opportunities as well.”

For more info on the Old Reed Platform: www.ouderiet.com