Michiel 2005's photos with the keyword: rgl

The outline was put there to promote a new television series, but somebody added a comment about the recent referendum on a tram line through Leiden. The vote was against the tram, but it will go through none the less.

This Wednesday the people of Leiden can vote whether they want a regional railway through their city. The railway is called "RGL", which stands for Rijn Gouwe Lijn (or: Rhine-Gouwe Line). At election time these boards are put up so that the parties can advertise (for free) their parties or, in this case, their pro or contra stance on the RGL. Even if the people of Leiden vote against the RGL, it is doubtful it can be stopped, because it is a regional project and the regional government can overrule the Leiden city council.

This Wednesday the people of Leiden can vote whether they want a regional railway through their city. On this square before the city hall of Leiden, the city council put in a piece of track and of a tram and some red bricks to give an impression of how the situation will be in the Breestraat. The portraits of Rembrandt (Lun Bolang for the Chinese) are there because Rembrandt was born in Leiden and last year was Rembrandt year.

This Wednesday the people of Leiden can vote whether they want a regional railway through their city. This is the Breestraat (or Broad Street). On the right is the 17th century City Hall. The street is banned at most times for the private motor car, only busses, taxis and bicycles are allowed. The anti people say that this (and other) streets are to small to run a enormous tram through. The pro railway people say that the tram will make the Breestraat peaceful again, because the busses will go. They fail to mention however that the busses will only be diverted, and that they will be clogging up other busy streets in Leiden. The main argument against is that the tram will run to places where you don't want to go.