Redesign of Asserstraat to improve traffic safety in Rolde
The redesign of Asserstraat is central to plans aimed at improving traffic safety in Rolde. The municipality of Aa en Hunze and engineering firm Royal HaskoningDHV recently presented sketches proposing significant changes to Asserstraat.
Arno van der Enden from Royal HaskoningDHV emphasized the need for this redesign: "There is too much speeding, too much traffic, and it needs to be safer for cyclists and pedestrians." The first step in the plan is to reduce speed on Asserstraat by transforming the road into a 30-kilometer zone. Additionally, the entrance signs to Rolde will be placed further inside the village, and a continuous bump will be installed in the middle of the road to slow down traffic.
Van der Enden explained that the redesign of Asserstraat should also have a visual impact on drivers. "The bump in the middle of the road is 'drivable' but noticeable. All these changes aim to create a different feeling when entering the village."
Ben Ernens, chairman of Dorpsbelangen Rolde, responded positively to the proposed measures: "I see that conscious speed-reducing measures have been successfully implemented. I am definitely pleased with that." However, Ernens emphasized that the protection of cyclists still needs improvement. "They do not always receive adequate protection when mingling with car traffic."
Ernens also advocates for an integrated approach to the traffic issues throughout the entire village. "I would appreciate it if Royal Haskoning were tasked by the municipality to address everything at once."
Another important aspect of the redesign involves the intersection of Asserstraat and Tumuliboslaan. Temporary measures were implemented here last December, such as a warning sign with traffic lights and an advisory speed limit of 40 kilometers per hour. Although there were plans to cut down six oak trees along the road to improve visibility, these trees remain in the preliminary design. Van der Enden explained that the road itself will be repositioned to enhance safety.
Christa Schaap from the municipality of Aa en Hunze emphasized that the current design is still preliminary. "We are still at the beginning," said Schaap. She stressed the importance of further dialogue with residents: "We need to do this much more often to have a good conversation. We want the best possible outcome, so everyone feels represented in the plans."
The redesign plans are part of the broader mobility plan of the municipality of Aa en Hunze, which will be discussed in September. "It is now up to the municipality to come up with a final design, which the city council also needs to approve," said Ernens. Schaap indicated that there is still a lot of work to be done before visible changes can be made. "We plan to address Asserstraat in eight different areas. A significant amount of funding needs to be secured. I hope that in two years we will have more clarity and can move towards a final design."
Dorpsbelangen Rolde continues to advocate for the interests of the residents and will keep pressing the municipality and other involved parties to take concrete measures to improve traffic safety.
