FAQ

The most advantageous variant should cost 8.2 billion euros; the most costly 17.2 billion euros. The middle variant, which by estimates would provide the most travel time savings and passengers, should cost 13.8 billion euros. This does not include maintenance costs, which are estimated at between €125 million and €525 million per year.

So far, three billion four hundred thousand euros has been set aside for the Lelylijn by the previous cabinet.
In addition, the region has already expressed its willingness to contribute and a European application can be made.
However, the amount of these amounts is not yet known.

Regionally, improved mobility increases the accessibility and therefore livability of villages and small towns. Nationally, travel time between the North and Randstad will be reduced. For example, travelers from Groningen can reach Amsterdam much faster than now. Depending on the route chosen, the travel time can be as much as 45 minutes shorter.

The North is better connected to the rest of the Netherlands with the Lelylijn. And because the Lelylijn connects large cities with smaller towns with villages, there are more opportunities for people for education, care and jobs.

The collections of studies are submitted to the Administrative Consultation MIRT in November 2024. Then a possible continuation of the Lelylijn will be considered. The BO-MIRT can decide whether the project will continue to the Exploration Phase through the so-called Start Decision or whether follow-up research is still needed.

The Lelylijn-project is in the research phase of the MIRT-operation. The studies on accessibility and new developments (NOVEX) are now complete. The studies on broad prosperity and international added value are ongoing.

Travel time between the North and Randstad will be reduced. Thus, travelers from Groningen can get to Amsterdam much faster than now. Depending on the route chosen, the travel time can be as much as 45 minutes shorter.

If the Lelylijn comes to fruition, villages will get an improved connection on a major public transit network. Together with local and regional public transit adjustments, this would mean people would live closer to amenities.

At this time, the route and stations where the trains will stop are not yet known. Places that are at least on the route of the Lelylijn are Groningen and Lelystad. All possible routes have been mapped out. A preliminary design for the Lelylijn is scheduled to be established in the fall of 2024.

Within the region, there is a strong preference for a route that goes past Emmeloord and Drachten. However, other routes are also possible.

The study shows that up to 40,000 travelers could use the Lelylijn daily. And if more houses are built, that number could rise to up to 50,000 travelers. Some travelers travel a small stretch on the Lelylijn and others use the entire line from Groningen or Leeuwarden to Amsterdam.

Research on international added value is ongoing. De Lelylijn is relevant not only regionally and nationally, but also internationally. With the Wunderline, we are taking an important step together with Germany. With the Lelylijn, further upgrading of this international connection is a step closer.

Last year, the European Commission (EC) and the European Parliament (EP) agreed to add the Lelylijn to the Extended Core network. At the end of this year, the decision will be before the Council of Europe (Transport Council). In it, all ministers of the member states are represented.

On the Afsluitdijk, for many years there was a reservation for a train connection. This spatial reservation was used to widen the road to 2×2 lanes. The dike therefore does not currently accommodate a train connection. We have investigated whether it is possible, for example, to expand the dike on which a rail connection can be built.

Because the Lelylijn connects large cities with smaller towns with villages, there are more opportunities for people on education, healthcare and jobs. The arrival of the Lelylijn means a lot for the region; villages and towns that are not next to the Lelylijn can also benefit if the region thinks about the right connections now. One such connection is the Lower Saxony line: from Groningen to Emmen. The sum of both new lines, is an enormous improvement for the entire Northern Netherlands and a solution to the challenges that are already there in the field of basic services and transport poverty.

Three possible routes for the Lelylijn have been examined. The starting point is no damage or as little damage as possible to nature and natural areas. Only in the next phase will the routes be worked out in more detail, then it will be easier to indicate the effects on nature.

The project team is in consultation with nature organizations and relevant authorities for local knowledge and expertise at a number of specific locations along the Bundling Route (Natura2000 areas). This helps to identify natural values and how it is possible to pass or bypass natural areas. Where there are co-opting opportunities to improve nature, we will identify these for the next phase of the study of the Lelylijn

De Lelylijn is the proposed rail link from the Randstad to Leeuwarden/Groningen, running through Flevoland and Fryslân. On it should be a fast train that stops only in a few major towns along the way, combined if possible with a local train that can stop more often.

There is a need for a Lelylijn for several reasons:

• The current rail connection to the Northern Netherlands via Zwolle-Meppel is insufficiently reliable and travel times are long. A Lelylijn will reduce travel times and make the Flevoland-Northern Netherlands connection much more reliable.
• Cities such as Emmeloord and Drachten do not have a station. The Lelylijn does intend to stop at these places. There may also be other new stations. This will increase accessibility in the Northern Netherlands.
• Traveling by public transportation is more sustainable than traveling by car. A new high-speed train connection therefore helps reduce CO2.
• A train connection has a positive effect on the business climate in the Northern Netherlands and can provide more economic development and jobs.
• The population nationwide, including the Northern Netherlands, will continue to grow, increasing the need for public transportation.

De website Lelylijn.nl is van de initiatiefgroep Lelylijn.
De initiatiefgroep heeft als missie de spoorverbinding tussen Noordelijk Nederland en de Randstad op de politieke agenda te zetten. Het uiteindelijke doel is dat de spoorlijn Lelystad, Groningen, Leeuwarden met elkaar verbindt via in elk geval Emmeloord, Heerenveen en Drachten.

No. A final decision on the construction of the Lelylijn has yet to be made. Also, the route of the Lelylijn has not yet been determined. Research results were announced in September 2024. The collections of studies will be presented to the Administrative Consultation MIRT in November 2024. Then a possible continuation of the Lelylijn will be considered. The BO-MIRT can decide whether the project will continue to the Exploration Phase through the so-called Start Decision or whether follow-up research is still needed.

At this time, the route and stations where the trains will stop are not yet known. Places that are at least on the route of the Lelylijn are Groningen and Lelystad. We are currently mapping all possible variants of the rail connection. A preliminary design for the Lelylijn is planned to be established in the fall of 2024. Within the region, there is a strong preference for a route that goes past Emmeloord and Drachten. However, other routes are also still possible.

No, there is not yet a final design of the Lelylijn. The project organization is coordinating the study of the Lelylijn and mapping all possible variants of the rail link. A preliminary design for the Lelylijn is expected to be established in the fall of 2024. This is still an outline design; further elaboration will be needed thereafter.

No final speed has yet been set for trains on the Lelylijn. Most likely, trains on this rail link will have a higher speed than current trains on the existing rail network. The speed depends, among other things, on the route of the rail line and on the number of stations where the trains stop.

At present, the route and location of the rail link have not yet been determined. Places that are at least on the route of the Lelylijn are Groningen and Lelystad. Among other things, research has been conducted into the possible routes / alternatives for the Lelylijn. View the research results announced in September 2024 here.

De Lelylijn is primarily intended for passenger transport. Yet the rail line could also be suitable for freight transport. It is not clear at this time whether the Lelylijn will be designed and built for passenger and freight transport. This will be included in the study of the Lelylijn.

The project organization Lelylijn is coordinating the study of the Lelylijn. All possible alternatives of the rail connection are being mapped out. Important points of attention are the consequences for prosperity, the contribution to the national housing task and the economic structure of the northern Netherlands. The issue of nature and landscape will also be elaborated and substantiated, and consideration will be given to whether the Lelylijn can connect to connections to other countries. The involvement of provinces, municipalities, water boards and other stakeholders in this is very important.

The project organization Lelylijn works with several lines of work:

• Environmental Management and Participation
  The purpose of this section is to get a clear picture of what residents and other stakeholders care about, what their wishes are, and what they are concerned about.
• Study of the alternatives for the Lelylijn
  The different options for the Lelylijn are examined (such as the different routes). Feasibility and costs are also examined.
• Development perspective
  In the area where the future Lelylijn may be located, various components must be given a place. NOVEX is the program that directs the creation of the spatial puzzle around the Lelylijn, in cooperation with provinces, municipalities and water boards. The core of the NOVEX approach is the development perspective: a sketch of the future environment of the Lelylijn, with an overview of what can possibly be realized.
• Assessment Framework
  The different options (alternatives and variants) for the Lelylijn will be assessed and compared. That consideration framework will include all relevant factors involved.

The steering committee Lelylijn includes the following people:

René Paas, Queen’s Commissioner (Province of Groningen) Chairman
Wino Aarnink, Director of Public Transport and Rail (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management)
Adriaan Beenen, North Netherlands Regional Ambassador (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate)
Philip Broeksma, Alderman (Municipality of Groningen)
Regina Oosting, Area Development Department Head (Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations) Roger de Groot, Mayor (Municipality of Noordoostpolder)
Johan Hamster, Member of the Provincial Executive (Province of Groningen)
Luzette Kroon, Dijkgraaf (Wetterskip Fryslân)
Jan de Reus, Member of the Provincial Executive (Province of Flevoland) Evert Stellingwerf, Alderman (Municipality of Leeuwarden)
Matthijs de Vries, Member of the Provincial Executive (Province of Fryslân)

The project team Lelylijn chose to develop 3 basic alternatives that are clearly different from each other. These alternatives should be broad enough to consider all possible options. The accessibility study should produce results before the summer of 2024.

De Lelylijn is more than a rail link. In the Development Perspective we examine how Lelylijn can contribute to the broad prosperity of the Northern Netherlands. This is done by strengthening the economic structure, improving accessibility and contributing to the housing challenge. This will include taking into account nature, landscape, tranquility, space and water and soil steering.

In this phase, we are investigating three possible alternative routes for a Lelylijn. The starting point is no damage or as little damage as possible to nature and natural areas. Only in the next phase will the routes be worked out in more detail, then it will be easier to indicate the effects on nature. The project team is in consultation with nature organizations and relevant authorities for local knowledge and expertise at a number of specific locations along the bundling route (Natura2000 areas). This helps to identify natural values and how it is possible to pass or bypass natural areas. Where there are co-opting opportunities to improve nature, we will identify these for the next phase of the Lelylijn study.

We believe it is important to continue to involve all stakeholders, including residents, in the MIRT study Lelylijn. A good mix of participation has been applied in the approach to the Lelylijn involving different stakeholders in a way that is appropriate for them and in which we collect information in different ways.
Everyone was able to participate in an online consultation on the Lelylijn. 11,000 residents did so. The participants will soon receive a letter with information about the status of the project Lelylijn, what has been done with their input, which studies are ongoing and what the first intermediate result of these is and what process will be followed in the coming months. Based on the results, we have adjusted and broadened our project objectives and changed our approach with more attention to agriculture, nature and landscape and the effects of Lelylijn in small cores. In addition, stakeholders such as social organizations and businesses are involved. Also, young people, as “users of the future” are asked for their input. For the follow-up steps, several focus groups were set up in which residents could participate in discussions about what Lelylijn could mean for them in the future. Residents can ask questions via www.delelyijn.nl.
One or more webinars will also be organized in which everyone can get information and react. The first survey results are now being shared with all grassroots representatives along the line. They will be informed about them by their own administrators. In the exploration, participation will again have to play an important role. However, it is up to the new cabinet to decide on the exploration.

The results were announced in May 2023 and can be found here:

link: https://delelylijn.nl/nieuws/inwoners-willen-snelle-en-groene-lelylijn-die-economie-versterkt/

National and regional authorities consider it important to (continue to) involve all stakeholders in the MIRT study Lelylijn. The MIRT study began with an extensive consultation in which everyone could participate. As many as 11,050 people participated in this online consultation about the Lelylijn, which was open from February 6 to April 1, 2023. In this way, everyone could think along about the pros and cons of a Lelylijn, indicate what opportunities and challenges they saw and express any concerns they had. Click here for the report on the online consultation. In the Mirt study Lelylijn, a mix of participation is applied in which different stakeholders are involved in a way that suits them. For example, nature organizations, agriculture, the business community and young people as “users of the future,” are actively asked for their input in, for example, design sessions and workshops. An Advisory Board has also been established with representatives from the social field. Focus groups were held where residents discussed the effects of the Lelylijn on the Brede Welvaart. View the results here.

Respond using the contact form. In the fall of 2024, the project organization will host a webinar. This webinar is open to everyone. There the final result will be explained. Also then you can ask questions and give your reaction. Date and time of the webinar will be announced after the summer.

We do not expect construction of the Lelylijn to result in fewer trains on existing track. The purpose of the Lelylijn is to provide an additional train connection between the Northern Netherlands and the Randstad, in order to improve the region’s accessibility and economic development. Existing rail connections will remain in use. De Lelylijn provides opportunities to decongest the existing rail network by allowing passengers to use the new rail link.

The TEN-T network has three levels, the Comprehensive Network, the “Extended Core Network” and the Core^Network1) The Amsterdam-Groningen-Bremen connection is already included in the Extended Core Network of the Trans-European Transport Network. Adding the LelyLijn and thus the connection via Germany to Scandinavia to the Extended Core Network is now the commitment of the Netherlands. Revising the TEN-T network is a lengthy process. Last year the European Commission (EC) and the European Parliament (EP) agreed to add the Lelylijn to the Extended Core network. At the end of this year, the decision will be before the Council of Europe (Transport Council). In it, all ministers of the member states are represented.

No, because both the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as the Transport Council, are in favor of including the Lelylijn. The discussion now going on is about in which category the Lelylijn should be included in the TEN-T. Both the European Commission and the European Parliament are in favor of inclusion in the Extended Core network while the Transport Council is committed to the Comprehensive Network.

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