250 million euros to strengthen the last weak links along the coast of Noord-Holland

Minister Camiel Eurlings will make 250 million euros available for strengthening the Hondsbossche and Pettemer sea defences and the Kop van Noord-Holland.

The Minister announced this to executive councillor for Noord-Holland Rinske Kruisinga on 19 August. The decision was made based in part on the recommendations of Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken.

Strengthening the Hondsbossche and Pettemer sea defences and the Kop van Noord-Holland is necessary to guarantee the safety of the Netherlands in the future. Minister Camiel Eurlings (Transport, Pubic Works and Water Management) is prepared to make 250 million euros available for strengthening these final two weak links along the Dutch coast.

Strengthening the defences using sand is the obvious solution. This robust and sustainable solution is in keeping with the current policy for the coast. "By continually investing in strengthening our coast we and our children can be assured that we can continue to live and work in our beautiful delta," said Minister Eurlings.

Involvement of residents

The province of Noord-Holland and the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board swiftly elaborated various options for strengthening the defences. The residents of the area behind the sea wall were intensively involved in the drawing up of these plans which, in addition to protection from the sea, also take into consideration the liveability of the area. Strengthening the defences using sand can count on a lot of support because in this way a lovely beach will be created with new possibilities for nature, recreation and water sports.

Experts in the field of coastal protection confirm that spraying sand offers many benefits in the long term as well. According to Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken, it is in good keeping with the Delta Programme. "The choice of this 'sandy' solution is also in line with the current sustainable and flexible approach chosen by the Netherlands: increasing safety by intelligently combining it with increasing the liveability of the area," said Mr Kuijken.

Knowledge and innovation

The Minister has invited the province of Noord-Holland to draw up a more austere plan based on the proposal at hand while retaining its robust nature. To this end, the knowledge and expertise of the Directorate of Transport and Water Management, the sand market and innovative market approaches can be used to the full. The government funding of 250 million euros is intended for both the implementation of the strengthening of the coastal defences as well as for maintaining the coastlines of the two weak links in Noord-Holland over the next two decades.

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