Road and school closures as village gears up for farmers’ protest

A farmers’ protest in The Hague in October 2019. Photo: Molly Quell

The Gelderland village of Stroe is gearing up for Wednesday’s protest by farmers by bringing in traffic measures and closing schools, because of the likely chaos.

Farmers groups say 20,000 people may attend the protest, many by tractor. Farmers are angry that the government is planning to shut down some farms to meet pollution targets.

The A1 motorway slip road at Stroe will remain closed and the N310 provincial road has also been closed off, while one-way routing will also be introduced in some places.

Barneveld local council has recommended people stay away on Wednesday and do their jobs from home if possible.

Shops and the village’s only school will also remain closed, as will secondary schools in Barneveld. However, the 15 to 20 pupils taking leaving exam resits will be expected to make their way to school, a spokesman for one educational institute said.

Motorways

Radical farmers group Farmers Defence Force (FDF) has urged demonstrators not to block the motorway with their tractors, as happened at earlier demonstrations.

Nevertheless, the transport department has also warned that delays are likely during the morning rush hour as tractors head for the protest site, particularly in the east and around The Hague.

The ANWB motoring organisation also expects heavy traffic and delays on the A1, A30 and A12.

Nitrogen

Farming – both arable and livestock – is responsible for some 41% of the nitrogen-based pollution in habitats which are protected by EU law as Natura 2000 locations.

What’s all the fuss about nitrogen in the Netherlands?

The aim of the plan is to cut total nitrogen emissions by 50% by 2030.