Virtually all objections to the 'A27 Houten-Hooipolder' route decision of the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management are unfounded. This means that the A27 between Houten and Hooipolder may be widened. The minister must, however, make a new decision on one aspect within twenty weeks. This so-called repair decision does not relate to the route of the A27 itself, but to the construction of new trees in the vicinity of the Noordeloos junction. The Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State has issued a so-called interim ruling for this objector, a final ruling was given for the other objectors today (26 August 2020).

Broadening

The route decision makes it possible to widen the A27 between Houten and the Hooipolder junction, including a reconstruction of the Hooipolder junction. According to the Minister, the extra lanes and rush hour lanes on this route are necessary to properly process traffic now and in the future. 45 appeals have been submitted to the Administrative Jurisdiction Division against the route decision. Most of the objectors are residents and businesses near the A27. 

Interim ruling

A company that owns parcels to the east of the Noordeloos junction does not agree with the planting of new trees near the junction. According to the minister, the new trees are necessary to compensate trees that have to make way for the widened A27 elsewhere. The company fears that the new trees will obscure the roadhouse that is located on its grounds. In the interim decision, the Administrative Jurisdiction Division instructs the Minister to re-examine whether some of these planned new trees are needed. In addition, the minister must make clear how she has taken the interests of the company into account in her decision for some of the 'compensation trees' at this location. She will be given twenty weeks for this. You can read the full statement on the website of the Council of State.

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