Northern Netherlands Outraged as Lelylijn Fund Redirected to Other Projects
Leaders and residents in the North call the Cabinet's decision a betrayal, saying the region is being robbed of its most vital infrastructure project — the 1 hour train to Randstad.
The Cabinet’s decision to take billions of euros saved for the Lelylijn and redirect them to other projects has sparked widespread anger and disappointment across the Northern Netherlands. The Lelylijn—a long-planned high-speed rail connection between Groningen and the Randstad via Drachten and Lelystad—was previously promised €3 billion in funding. That money will now largely go toward the construction of the Nedersaksenlijn, a railway from Groningen to Enschede via Emmen, as well as improvements to the Meppel bottleneck and the Afsluitdijk lock.
“You’re robbing the bank”
René Paas, King’s Commissioner of Groningen, has been one of the most vocal critics. “You are not doing the North a favour by robbing the bank,” he told Dagblad van het Noorden. Paas says that while the Nedersaksenlijn is welcome, it should not come at the expense of the Lelylijn, which he describes as "the most important project" for the region’s future.
He called the move a “cold shower”, noting that the Lower House explicitly voted last year to protect the Lelylijn funds. “Instead of honest discussions about further financing, we get this. It’s disappointing and deeply worrying,” he said.
“Top-notch haggling”
Business leaders also voiced their frustration. Sieger Dijkstra, chair of VNO-NCW MKB Noord, called the decision “top-notch haggling.” He acknowledged the value of the Nedersaksenlijn and other infrastructure projects but stressed that they should not come at the expense of the Lelylijn. “It feels like we’re being used as bargaining chips,” he said.
Agnes Mulder, director of the same business association, warned that the decision leaves the region out in the cold. “There was political support, a financial reservation, and regional readiness. Now more than ever, we need to keep the pressure on to move forward with the Lelylijn,” she urged.
Broken promises
The move came despite a motion passed by Parliament, initiated by NSC MP Olger van Dijk, stating clearly that Lelylijn funds must remain untouched. Critics argue that this decision by the Cabinet goes against that agreement.
“This was a worthless plan before Christmas, and now it’s back,” Paas said, adding that the quality of the Cabinet’s decisions reflects poor internal negotiations. “It’s simply not healthy.”
A region betrayed?
Local politicians, residents, and business leaders across Groningen and the North have expressed a sense of betrayal. While some municipalities in South-East Groningen are celebrating funding for the Nedersaksenlijn, others say the long-term needs of the North are being ignored.
“The Lelylijn was on the table, is on the table, and as far as I’m concerned it must stay on the table,” said Mulder. “Let’s hope the Cabinet finally comes around.”