Studies and analyzes have shown that the construction of a parallel runway to the Kaag runway can only yield limited benefits, and that it would be associated with high costs and a major shift in nuisance.
There will be no new runway at Schiphol. Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers has decided to cancel the reservation on a piece of land in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer that was intended for the so-called parallel Kaagbaan. The minister announced the news personally on Monday in Rijsenhout, a village in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. Due to the reservation on the land – which dates back to 2009 – development in Rijsenhout was hardly possible. This had a major effect on the quality of life in the village.
“With the cancellation of the reservation, there will be clarity and prospects for Rijsenhout will arise again. It is good that this clarity is now available to the residents.”
Studies and analyzes have shown that the construction of a parallel runway to the Kaag runway can only yield limited benefits, and that it would be associated with high costs and a major shift in nuisance. The decision to cancel the reservation stems from talks between the national government and the region. In recent months, discussions have been held with those involved, including the province of North Holland, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, various sector parties including Schiphol and KLM, the Schiphol Administrative Board (BRS) and the Schiphol Environmental Council. Most interlocutors support the decision to cancel the reservation. Schiphol itself indicated in April that it would refrain from a new runway and asked the government to cancel the reservation.
“A healthy and safe living environment for our residents is paramount. The BRS has been arguing for years for a better balance between the economy, accessibility and the quality of the living environment. Canceling the reservation of the parallel Kaagbaan runway is a step in the right direction.”
The Schiphol region has been designated as a NOVEX area. This means that the national government, provinces and municipalities in the vicinity of the airport will jointly implement measures intended to improve the quality of the living environment in the Schiphol region and to reduce emissions and noise. The aim is to jointly create a balance that offers space for an international airport, but that also promotes the quality of our living environment.
One of the ways to improve the living environment and reduce noise nuisance is through innovative construction. Research by TU Delft and AMS Institute in a so-called 'field lab' showed last year that by building houses in a certain way and positioning them in relation to each other, the experienced noise nuisance can be significantly reduced. A location in Rijsenhout is being sought for a follow-up study, this time in a 'living lab'.
“The fact that the second Kaagbaan Runway will definitely not be built is a huge relief for the residents of Rijsenhout. Instead of fighting for the preservation of the village, there is room for making plans. One of those plans is to build real houses as a follow-up to the research into sound-adaptive construction. We are looking for a suitable location and hope to start as soon as possible.”
By canceling the reservation, development in Rijsenhout is possible again. Housing construction can be part of that. It is being examined whether, step by step, a maximum of 400 homes can be added in the village. The precise details of future development are something that will be further elaborated by the NOVEX partners.
Within the NOVEX approach, there must also be room for nature restoration, housing construction, infrastructure and the improvement of the electricity grid. The agreements for the joint approach and elaboration of these tasks were laid down in an administrative agreement last year.
In June last year, Minister Harbers announced that she wanted to improve the quality of the living environment around Schiphol and to reduce the number of flights at the airport. Canceling the reservation for a second Kaagbaan runway fits in with that change of course, it said Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
