Residents of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen can only reach the rest of the Netherlands via the Western Scheldt tunnel now that the Belgian-Dutch border is as good as closed. Across the Netherlands, measures have been taken in view of the corona virus. As a starting point, everyone stays at home, unless they work in a vital sector.
In answer to the parliamentary questions of the member Van Brenk (50PLUS) about tolls at the Western Scheldt tunnel Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen of Infrastructure and Water Management states that the Provincial Council of the Province of Zeeland, as shareholder of the Western Scheldt Tunnel, decides on the toll framework.
When asked whether it is desirable to levy a toll in times of the corona crisisNow that the borders remain closed and the toll tunnel is the only option to move within the rest of the Netherlands, the Minister refers to the management of the Western Scheldt Tunnel that decides on toll rates. The Provincial Executive of Zeeland pointed out in recent answers to similar questions that the government's advice is to avoid social contacts and to stay at home and that temporarily making the Western Scheldt tunnel free of tolls will backfire on this advice and will promote contacts. .
incident involving emergency vehicles
After the incident with the ambulance at the Liefkenshoek tunnel that had to pay tolls, agreements were made about allowing emergency vehicles to pass. In the Liefkenshoek tunnel, priority emergency vehicles that are recognizable as such with the use of the sound and light installation and which have been reported via the control room, can drive through the tunnel without paying toll. Other emergency vehicles that are not priority must pay. This applies regardless of the origin of the vehicle. This policy has been applied for years and is known to Dutch emergency services that use the tunnel. Following the incident with the Dutch ambulance, the management of the Liefkenshoek tunnel has taken measures.
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