The Dutch government has announced a €2.5 billion investment programme to improve roads, cycle paths, tunnels and tram routes, and to boost access to new housing developments across the country.

The lack of infrastructure is delaying some new development. Photo: Depositphotos.com

In addition, ministers have set aside €877 million for area-based measures such as clearing up pollution, water management and tackling the shortage of capacity on the national electricity grid.

Together, the housing ministry says the measures will enable the construction of 128,000 homes by 2035, while projects to build a further 273,000 new homes will come a step closer to reality. The government has set a target of building 100,000 new homes a year, but many projects have been delayed by problems with infrastructure and power supply.

Future proof residential areas

Caretaker housing minister Mona Keijzer said the investment would help create “future-proof residential areas with good public spaces and connections”. The government, for example, is co-funding the Merwedelijn tram route in Utrecht, which will serve the new Merwede residential district and the future Rijnenburg neighbourhood development.

“We want to build as many homes as possible, as quickly as possible, and ensure that people can enjoy living in their new neighbourhoods and reach them easily,” Keijzer said.

Talks are currently underway in the Netherlands on forming a new government, and solving the housing shortage is expected to be a top priority for the next coalition. The outgoing government has already launched a series of measures to speed up development, including changes to the process for submitting objections and a more pragmatic approach to drawing up environmental and archaeological reports.