The new coalition government in The Hague has decided to reopen the Hoefkade to all traffic, effectively canceling a planned road redesign project. Alderman Adeel Mahmood stated that the closure, implemented in 2020 to reduce through traffic in the Schilderswijk, faced significant opposition from residents and businesses who were forced to take longer routes. Consequently, the city will stop the redesign, resulting in a loss of approximately three million euros in preparation and design costs. While opposition party D66 criticized the decision as unsafe and wasteful, Mahmood emphasized listening to community concerns about accessibility. The municipality will now work out the details of reopening the street and assessing its impact on local traffic flows.
A large enforcement operation at The Hague's Hollands Spoor station on Tuesday resulted in 43 fines, multiple arrests, and the removal of 33 bicycles. Police, NS, and HTM inspectors targeted public order violations, fare evasion, and parking infractions, issuing 194 parking surcharges and 146 travel fines. One individual with an outstanding prison sentence was identified, while another was detained for four pending cases.
After a Thamnophis (garter snake) was found in Honselersdijk, Walter Getreuer of ReptielenZoo Serpo advised residents on proper handling. He identified the non-native, non-venomous species as likely escaped from captivity. Getreuer recommends maintaining distance, taking photos, and contacting a rescue center rather than disturbing or killing the animal, noting that most bites occur during attempted capture. While harmless to humans, any unknown snake should be treated with caution as potentially venomous until identified.
78-year-old Rinus Jenzon from The Hague feels isolated following the death of his older sister Lenie and the recent termination of his volunteer work at SVV Scheveningen football club. Jenzon, who served the club for 60 years, stated he was sidelined via a letter despite being named Volunteer of the Year. The club secretary cited a lack of budget for his role but confirmed Jenzon remains welcome as a visitor. His situation coincides with the Week Against Loneliness, highlighting his struggle to cope with these dual losses.
The municipality of The Hague plans to build a new access road along the A4 highway that cuts directly through the headquarters of Van Lochem Maintenance Company in the Vlietzone. Director Jack van Lochem criticized the lack of prior notification and called for alternative routes, such as via Spoorlaan, arguing the current plan threatens the family business's continuity. Opposition parties PvdD and SP have demanded the preferred variant be scrapped due to this error and potential impacts on nature and residents.
An agent was injured during a fight between supporters of Quick Boys and Rijnsburgse Boys in Rijnsburg, prompting Quick Boys chairman Bart van Kruistum to condemn the violence and call for safer match environments. The incident occurred despite Rijnsburgse Boys banning Quick Boys supporters due to prior violence, including injuries from flares and property damage. This follows another week of clashes involving Kozakken Boys, leading to an apology from Rijnsburgse Boys' board. Both clubs are collecting facts and footage regarding the September 19, 2026 derby incidents.
The municipal council of Rijnsaterwoude unanimously advised revoking an environmental permit for converting a former hotel into ten apartments, citing insufficient evidence that parking demand would decrease and concerns over outdoor space quality. Although the college granted the permit in November 2025 and renovations began immediately, with some residents already living there, the council found the parking calculations unconvincing given the narrow Herenweg road. Mayor Astrid Heijstee stated the initiator must return to the drawing table to discuss an adjusted plan with the municipality.
An explosion and subsequent fire occurred at a boxing school on Hoge Rijndijk in Leiden during the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. This incident is not the first for the building, which suffered damage earlier this month when flames damaged the facade and doors, leading to a two-week closure by the municipality. Police confirmed no injuries or arrests were made. Detectives are investigating whether a link exists between this explosion and the fire on September 7.
Westland faces renewed political tension regarding asylum housing under the Dispersion Law, with opposition parties Westland Verstandig and Forum voor Democratie proposing motions to prevent the municipal executive from acting independently. While the coalition has reached a deal with neighboring Midden-Delfland to host 225 asylum seekers in exchange for taking on extra status holders, opposition leaders criticize this arrangement as a legal loophole that fails to prioritize local residents. The debate intensifies as the municipality operates under ministerial supervision due to its failure to provide sufficient housing spots, forcing the council to clarify its stance on implementing the law versus maintaining its previous resistance.
The District Court of The Hague ruled that the municipality of Wassenaar had the right to establish a preferential right on the land of Renbaan Duindigt, requiring the track to offer the ground to the municipality first. Stichting Beheer Renbaan Duindigt (SBRD) described the situation as a complete deadlock, as they cannot sell to Villa Betty due to the municipal right nor to the municipality because of a prior 2023 agreement. The SBRD faces financial difficulties and claims the municipality refuses to negotiate on debt distribution or the redevelopment plan.
A driver was arrested on Tuesday evening after suddenly driving toward a motorcycle officer on Kruithuisweg in Delft. The officer narrowly avoided the vehicle and remained unharmed, stating it was close. Further along the road, the driver crashed into a guardrail, resulting in injuries that required hospitalization. The police spokesperson confirmed the incident, noting the car sustained damage.
A car ended up on its roof after a single-vehicle accident late Tuesday evening on Dorpsstraat in Zevenhoven. The vehicle sustained significant damage, including broken windows and scattered parts, while the condition of the driver remains unknown.
Gerda Bonninga in Alphen aan den Rijn is devastated after vandals destroyed the gnome forest for the third time in two months. The area, which features houses built by her late husband, was damaged again on Monday, prompting Bonninga to file a police report. She has suspended plans to reopen the site until spring to avoid drawing further attention to the perpetrators and hopes for peace during the winter.
Three men in the Netherlands are standing trial for extortion and assault following a conflict over a second-hand car sale in October 2021. The defendants deny kidnapping Y.A., claiming he could have exited the vehicle at any traffic light, while prosecutors dropped the unlawful detention charge due to lack of evidence that he attempted to flee. The Public Prosecution Service requests twelve months in prison, six of which are suspended, along with a community service sentence and compensation for the victim, who suffered injuries including scratches and bloodstains found in his car.
Shopkeepers at the Herenhof shopping center in Alphen aan den Rijn report that young people on bicycles and fatbikes speed through the area, violating a bike ban. Loraine Grotenhuis and other merchants describe receiving aggressive responses when confronting riders, noting that enforcement is rarely present and fines are not issued. While some owners claim regular checks occur, others argue that every bicycle on the plaza is one too many, urging stricter enforcement to resolve the increasing disturbance.
The municipalities of Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague are urging the Dutch national government to implement measures against fraudulent care providers and criminal networks exploiting vulnerable citizens. They argue that current local actions are insufficient without federal intervention, describing the situation as ineffective. The cities criticize Minister Mirjam Sterk’s plan to address these issues by 2028 as too late, calling instead for immediate national screening and uniform admission requirements. Additionally, the 50Plus party in the House of Representatives has requested the appointment of a government commissioner to coordinate the fight against care fraud nationwide.
VV Noordwijk and VVSB have secured their spots in the main tournament of the KNVB Cup after winning their second qualification round matches. VV Noordwijk defeated LAC Frisia 1-0, while VVSB won 1-0 against FC Rijnvogels. The draw for the first round will take place on Friday during the ESPN program De Voetbalkantine, with matches scheduled from October 27 to 29, 2026. ADO Den Haag, Quick Boys, and Rijnsburgse Boys have already qualified for the main stage.
Goalkeeper Andre Krul, 39, has joined Dutch club VVSB, marking the 22nd team of his career. In women's football, ADO Den Haag drew 2-2 with sc Heerenveen after trailing early, while Floortje Bol scored a hat-trick to secure ADO's first Eredivisie win against PEC Zwolle. Additionally, cyclist Demi Vollering finished eighth at the world time trial championships in Montreal, and Kerstin Casparij was nominated for the Ballon d'Or award.
A court in Gouda is hearing the case of Afsal N., a 21-year-old accused of scamming elderly women through impersonation of police officers. The fraud involved stealing jewelry, including items of emotional value from a 90-year-old victim, under the guise of verifying valuables. The prosecutor requested 20 months in prison, citing the severity of the crimes, while the defendant claims he acted under threat from other gang members. The judge will deliver a verdict on October 6.
Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Vincent Karremens has withdrawn the state's appeal against building a new village in the Zuidplaspolder, bringing the construction of 8,000 homes closer to reality. The decision follows agreements with South Holland province and the municipalities of Gouda and Zuidplas to jointly invest approximately 200 million euros in accessibility measures, including road connections to the A12 and A20 highways and a bicycle bridge over the Gouwe. While Rijkswaterstaat and the Hoogheemraadschap van Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard have retracted their legal challenges, appeals from several businesses and residents remain pending before the Council of State for review in late November. The municipality of Zuidplas aims to begin construction of the new village, named Cortelande, in 2028.
