Accessibility to and within Zeeland is an important focus for HZ University of Applied Sciences. That is why we are committed to finding the best possible solutions to ensure that (new) students and staff can easily reach our locations. Wherever we have influence, we take the initiative, sit down at the table and actively contribute ideas. We spoke with Joeri Versluis, Director of Operations, about current developments.
When is the Westerschelde Tunnel scheduled to close and what will be the impact?
"The Westerschelde Tunnel will close on 11 January 2027 for necessary repairs. We have over 700 students and around 50 colleagues who live in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and Belgium. For them, the tunnel is very important for getting to HZ. Together, they teach and study and conduct research at our locations and in the region. A journey that is now taken for granted will soon raise many questions. This is about more than just logistics: it affects habits, energy and the space needed to do education and work properly. The closure of the tunnel affects us as people and as an organisation."
How is HZ contributing to the discussion?
"We are an important stakeholder in the Westerschelde Tunnel and the Province of Zeeland. We are actively involved in discussions about the options and possible solutions. We have been well informed about the plans and the remaining options. In the last week of January, I met with colleagues from Scalda and Hoornbeeck at the provincial government. Together with Harry van der Maas, we considered possible solutions. There are ideas that are not yet finalised, but which are embraced by the province and the educational institutions."
How can colleagues and students contribute their ideas?
"In order to really respond to what is needed, we have invited colleagues and students from Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and Belgium to a “brainstorming session”. We want to gather as many experiences and ideas as possible. For the Westerschelde Tunnel project organisation and for HZ. We are mapping out where they come from, what their day to and from HZ looks like and whether they have a preference for a particular option. The session is planned for Monday 9 February."
How can we help prospective students?
"We want to provide good and honest information to prospective students, their parents and carers. We want to explicitly prevent uncertainty about accessibility from leading to a different choice of study programme. That is why we are conveying our confidence in practical solutions and our commitment to providing students with the best possible support. We will be doing this at the Open Day on Saturday 7 February, among other things. We will also show our partners at supplying schools that we are not waiting around, but thinking ahead and working with them and their pupils.”
Can you tell us more about the Zeeland School Transport Foundation?
“The education authorities in Zeeland work together in the foundation and we are a member. Together, we represent the public transport interests of pupils, students and staff. In addition to the collaboration surrounding the closure of the tunnel, we are also looking ahead to 2029. A large-scale test with a new safety system (ERTMS) is planned for the Zeeland railway network. We have filed a preliminary injunction to have the trial scrapped."
Ideas for accessibility
In collaboration with the province, a number of ideas have been put forward for when the West Tube of the tunnel closes. Please note that these are not yet definitive, but are being embraced as possible solutions. They concern:
- A strong commitment to running many buses through the East Tube, with the aim of minimising travel time loss
- The availability of vignettes for HZ employees so that they can carpool together
- The spreading of the start times of the timetables within HZ
- Possible cooperation between HZ and Scalda, for the possible use of locations for exams
- Possible temporary student accommodation in Vlissingen-Middelburg
About the period in 2027
- The closure will start on 11 January and last until the end of April (16 weeks).
- This period includes 2.5 weeks of holidays.
- There will be 4 exam weeks during this period.
- Two project weeks are planned during this period.
