Frequently asked questions about De Parken

On some streets, people regularly drive too fast (such as Van Hasseltlaan and Canadalaan). What measures are being taken to limit the speed to 30 km/h?

We are drawing the police’s attention to enforcement. Each neighbourhood council has access to a display with a speedometer. This could, for example, be placed on Van Hasseltlaan. In addition, our traffic engineer is investigating during the design phase whether traffic-calming measures (such as speed bumps) are desirable for a number of roads.

When cars drive too fast, the noise levels also rise to unacceptable levels. What is being done about this?

We are aware of this, which is why a noise specialist has been brought in to work on the project. The level of noise pollution is largely determined by people’s driving behaviour and the speed of vehicles; if vehicles ‘thundered’ down the street, this would not only create a feeling of insecurity but also cause noise pollution. We are paying particular attention to Van Heutszlaan and Van Hasseltlaan. Additional speed-reducing measures may be implemented here.

Does the noise increase when using tiles?

Compared to the current (poor) road surface, pavers do not result in any deterioration if they are laid tightly (by machine) in a herringbone pattern. The clinker itself is much straighter than clinkers from ‘the old days’. They come straight out of the mould and have little ‘bevel’. The straighter the clinker, the straighter it can be laid. Furthermore, we will lay the pavers in the most favourable pattern in terms of noise: a herringbone pattern.

Can the road be narrowed in places where people drive too fast?

De Parken is physically designed for a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h. This will involve a safe road width of approximately 5.5 to 6 metres, with speed bumps installed at intervals. Another option could be to narrow the road slightly to give the trees more space underground.

Are trees being planted above a parking bay to prevent damage to and graffiti on cars?

When planting trees, we always assess the potential disruption a tree may cause to its immediate surroundings. We try to maintain the existing layout of trees and parking bays as far as possible.

What is the estimated percentage of trees that need to be replaced?

To be perfectly honest, it’s too early to say anything definitive about this. Further investigations will shed light on the matter. That is why ‘tensile tests’ are being carried out to assess the stability and strength of the tree. Safety is our top priority, but we fully recognise the great value of the monumental trees in your neighbourhood.

Is it possible to have a new tree planted sooner?

No, the trees will be planted at the same time as all the other work on the sewers and road surface.

Will the range of trees be different from what it is now?

The neighbourhood’s “frame” is divided into two parts: the iconic avenue trees (mainly oaks and beeches) and the “fringe”, which consists of streets lined with trees of a smaller and different species.

De Parken is a nationally protected townscape. To what extent does the government have a say in the plans?

The regulations governing the conservation area with which the new design must comply are set out, amongst other things, in local planning regulations and visual quality plans. As a result, the national government does not need to check all drawings and similar documents individually. The plans are also all submitted to the Environmental Quality Committee (building control), which also monitors quality.

Can my driveway be widened?

There are a relatively large number of driveways where bespoke solutions will need to be considered. We will take this into account as much as possible in the designs we produce. In doing so, we will retain the existing layout as far as possible. In certain cases, we will contact you to discuss what improvements or adjustments can be made.

Can the road width be reduced (for example, on Generaal van Heutszlaan or Mariannalaan)?

In view of the space required for trees to grow and/or the width of the pavements, we may need to narrow the carriageway. A narrower carriageway also generally helps to reduce speed. However, such changes will become clear during the design phase

Could my street become a one-way street?

Changing from two-way to one-way traffic often leads to an increase in speed. This is because motorists no longer expect drivers coming from the opposite direction (with the exception of cyclists). This, in turn, contributes to increased noise levels. Introducing one-way traffic brings with it a number of other disadvantages. Firstly, access to various homes in the Parks will be restricted. Several residents will have to travel extra kilometres to reach their homes. In addition, traffic pressure often shifts to surrounding roads. During the design phase, therefore, each street is assessed to determine whether changing the traffic flow structure is desirable.

Will speed bumps be installed or moved in my street?

During the design phase, our traffic engineer will assess which streets require traffic-calming measures. Relocating speed bumps is only possible if the traffic engineer sees a direct need for it. This is the case, for example, if an additional speed bump is installed, making it desirable to redistribute the locations of the speed bumps along a road.

Can driveways be modified or new ones constructed to accommodate changes to the parking arrangements on our own premises?

You can apply for a permit for this via the one-stop shop. The request will be processed, and any work required can then be carried out by our contractor, for example.

How are the stones laid, in what pattern, and why?

The stones are laid in a herringbone pattern (very similar to a fishbone pattern). This is the best solution in terms of noise levels.

Why was this colour chosen for the paving stones?

The colour we’re going for is manganese – a brown shade. The paving brick is understated and timeless, and blends in beautifully with the basalt-coloured kerbstones. A similar paving brick – in the same colour – used to be laid in some of the streets in the neighbourhood.

What material is used to lay the pavement?

30 x 30 cm paving slabs are being laid, just like the ones that are already there.

What will happen to the additional parking spaces on the premises that currently have no access road?

You can do this by Apply for a permit via the Environment Desk. The request will be processed, and any work required can then be carried out by our contractor, for example.

Will there be extra parking spaces in my street (for example, Van Heutszlaan)?

In principle, there will be no changes to the number of parking spaces or their locations. However, it is always a good idea to let us know your specific requirements.

Will there be a traffic management plan and a parking plan in place during the works?

Absolutely! It is very important to maintain access to the neighbourhood as much as possible, despite the disruption. We will therefore do everything we can to minimise the disruption.

What grant opportunities are available for sewerage systems?

No grant is available for replacing the waste water sewer on your property. However, a subsidy is available for the disconnection of rainwater, whereby rainwater is no longer connected to the sewage system but is instead infiltrated locally into the ground or discharged above ground via the garden to the public highway. Find out more about the grant for rainwater harvesting.

Is it compulsory to disconnect rainwater drainage?

No, it isn’t compulsory.

Why do we actually divert rainwater away from the sewer system?

Disconnecting is better for the environment (it prevents the subsoil from drying out) and prevents the sewer system from becoming overloaded and water from causing a nuisance on the streets during heavy downpours. Find out more about rainwater harvesting.

Why isn’t rainwater actually used IN the home?

There are techniques whereby rainwater collected in the garden is reused, for example, to flush the toilet. However, this is a relatively expensive technique and requires significant investment (installing additional pipework in homes). The costs involved do not justify the benefits.

How can I prevent my (small) garden from flooding during heavy downpours?

The water can be collected in your own garden using a crate, a gravel box or deep infiltration (a drain with a vertical infiltration pipe of approx. 3 m). We will explain the technical options in more detail. It is also possible to divert the rainwater to the road, where it enters the municipal infiltration sewer. This sewer gradually infiltrates the rainwater into the ground and discharges excess rainwater into the ponds

Does the water from the streets (containing tyre rubber and road salt residues) end up in the ponds?

The initial debris is collected in the street gullies. This mainly consists of solid materials such as tyre rubber and the like. The street gullies are emptied on average twice a year using a gully suction vehicle. The dissolved road salt (brine) is infiltrated into the ground locally via the infiltration pipes beneath the road. Little is known about the effects of road salt on groundwater and/or the soil. Measurements of the salt content per kilogram of dry soil from the verge have been carried out in test sections along motorways. These measurements showed that the salt load at a distance of approximately 3 m from the roadside is virtually the same as the natural salt content of the soil. Incidentally, new techniques are being used in de-icing operations to reduce the salt load on the environment as much as possible (wet salt technique and automated spreading in relation to the spreading widths used).

If the streets are disconnected, the sewer system will receive less wastewater; will this cause any problems?

No, the sewerage system in the Parkenbuurt is part of a much larger combined sewerage system (a system in which both sewage and rainwater are discharged through the same pipes).In the Parkenbuurt, only a proportion of the total sewage discharged from this system – only a portion of the water to be discharged is locally disconnected from the combined system and, via a separate system, either infiltrated into the ground locally or discharged into open pond water.

How will access to my home/office/practice be ensured whilst the work is being carried out, and how long will it take?

The contractor is drawing up a work schedule. We cannot yet say exactly how long it will take per street. The contractor will do its utmost to accommodate your needs, so that access to facilities such as a GP surgery remains as good as possible. However, for every property, there will be a short period during which you will not be able to drive right up to your house. We will discuss this in detail at the open evenings for each phase. The designs for each street will also be presented then.

How is safety ensured in terms of access for the emergency services?

In the event of an emergency, the project area will remain accessible to the emergency services at all times. Temporary traffic measures will be determined on the basis of the final phasing of the works. These will be communicated to local residents and the emergency services prior to the start of the works.

What measures are being taken to enforce the 30 km/h speed limit on certain (dangerous) streets?

We are drawing the police’s attention to enforcement. Each neighbourhood council has access to a display featuring a speedometer. In addition, during the design phase, we will assess whether traffic-calming measures are advisable.

To what extent has the theme of ‘climate’ been taken into account in this project?

Sustainability and circularity are the central themes of this project. For example, using pavers is far more sustainable than using asphalt. Rainwater can also infiltrate more effectively into the ground through the gaps between the pavers (and/or be drained via the infiltration sewer). Disconnecting the downpipes is also an environmentally conscious choice. The work we are going to carry out will be carried out in a circular manner as far as possible.

Why are even roads in good condition being dug up?

This is essential in order to install a properly functioning sewerage system. During the design process, we examine very carefully whether it is really necessary to dig up roads that are in good condition.

Why isn’t Molleruslaan part of the project? Surely it’s part of the ‘Parken’ scheme?

The Parkenbuurt is being treated as a single entity. Molleruslaan is also part of the overall plan. The avenue will not require any maintenance in the coming years and has therefore not been included in the current project. Should maintenance become necessary, Molleruslaan will also be resurfaced with cobblestones.

Are measures being taken to address the potential effects of vibrations caused by the removal of concrete slabs?

We will discuss the method of execution with the contractor. If it is anticipated that there is indeed an increased risk of vibrations, we will arrange for pre-works photographs (of the walls prior to the works) to be taken at the properties.

Will the pavements and kerbs be replaced as well?

Yes. We are, however, looking into reusing the materials. The risk is that they might break. In any case, we won’t be mixing new and old materials.

Can heavy traffic be restricted to prevent rutting?

No, unfortunately that isn’t possible.

Cobblestone roads become very slippery in frosty or icy conditions. What can be done about this?

Slippery conditions in frosty weather are indeed a drawback of cobblestone paving. Across Apeldoorn, the policy remains that only through routes are gritted. In principle, therefore, the gritting routes will remain unchanged. However, we will pass this on to our colleagues in the Management & Maintenance unit.