Groningen must first assess the impact on local residents
It is not yet certain that the Hyperloop test track will be realised in Groningen. Hyperloop is a new transport system where people are transported through a tube at high speed in capsules.
According to Groningen alderman Paul de Rook (D66), an investigation process will first have to be completed, and consultations must be held on issues such as traffic impact, safety and possible noise nuisance. As reported by the Dagblad van het Noorden.
The alderman was responding to a message in the Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant (PZC), which says that the province of Groningen might have presented itself better/more positive than it really is, whilst in competition with the province of Zeeland.
Local residents
The province of Zeeland, in the south of The Netherlands, was also in the race for the hyperloop test center, but in the end Groningen was chosen, because it had indicated that it did not expect major problems with potential objections from local residents. Groningen intended to inform residents as early as possible, but won the bid first.
More research first
But according to Alderman De Rook it was not possible to inform residents during the bidding battle, and therefore local residents were only informed immediately after it became known that Groningen had won the bidding battle.
The alderman said in a meeting of the provincial council committee last night, that he first wants a programme of investigation and consultation on issues such as safety and possible noise nuisances, in the hope that this will remove the concerns of local residents.
Image via Hardt Hyperloop
