The Hague will further expand the number of 30 km/h streets in the coming period. Following the earlier selection of 110 streets already designated for conversion to 30 km/h, this plan takes the next step towards a traffic-safe city: over the next two years, approximately 200 additional streets, which are not on the main route map for emergency services and public transport, can also be converted to 30 kilometers per hour. Examples of streets eligible include Junostraat, Fahrenheitstraat, Kerkhoflaan, Dwarskade, Barbeeldam, and Bronovolaan. The streets will not be redesigned immediately; that will only happen when maintenance work is scheduled.
This plan aligns with the Network Strategy 2040, in which residential and pedestrian streets are designated as logical 30 km/h zones. In doing so, the city is taking a major step towards a safer and more liveable The Hague.
Medemblikstraat in Leyenburg has been redesigned and adjusted from 50 to 30 kilometers per hour. The asphalt has been replaced by paving stones, there is a wide green central reservation, and there is more space for cyclists and pedestrians. The surrounding Nieuwendamlaan, Den Helderstraat, Heiloostraat, Hoogkarspelstraat, and Ransdorpstraat have also been redesigned. This new layout automatically encourages motorists to drive slower. The redesign is part of the municipality’s broader approach to lowering the maximum speed from 50 to 30 kilometers per hour wherever possible.
“ The redesign of Medemblikstraat shows what a 30 km/h street can look like: traffic-safe, well-organized, and a pleasant place to live. And this is just the beginning. With this plan, in which we aim to convert 200 streets without redesign in the coming years, we are taking a huge leap forward. That means fewer accidents, more peace and quiet in the neighborhoods, and space for greenery, cyclists, and pedestrians. This is how we are building a city where everyone can move around safely ,” says Alderman Arjen Kapteijns (Mobility).
Why this expansion?
Research by the municipality shows that more than 75% of traffic accidents in The Hague occur on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h, even though these roads constitute only one-third of the total road network. The chance of a fatal accident on a 50 km/h road is ten times greater than on a 30 km/h road. There are also more injuries.
Lowering speeds using signage alone also makes sense. Every 10% speed reduction results in 20% fewer accidents, 30% fewer injuries, and 40% fewer fatalities. With the addition of the new 200 streets, the total number of 30 km/h streets in The Hague grows to approximately 75%. As a result, 30 km/h is increasingly becoming the norm in residential areas and on local streets.
Space for a growing city
The Hague is growing, and with it, traffic and the risk of traffic accidents. By introducing a 30 kilometer per hour speed limit, we increase road safety and make the city a more pleasant place to live. At lower speeds, narrower lanes are possible, freeing up space during redesigns for wider sidewalks, bike paths, and more greenery.
Combined activities
The redesign of Medemblikstraat and the surrounding streets has been combined with the replacement of the sewer system. By bundling the work, streets need to be opened less frequently, keeping inconvenience for residents and costs to a minimum.
Text & Images: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation: The Hague Online
