NETHERLANDS: A musical celebration marked the reopening of Breda station on September 8 following its refurbishment. Among the attendees were Breda’s Mayor Paul Depla, ProRail President Pier Eringa and NS President Roger van Boxtel.

Led by infrastructure ProRail and lead contracting consortium Ballast Nedum/Hurks, and supported by national operator NS and the city of Breda, the rebuilding programme lasted four years. One of the core objectives was to integrate a diverse range of transport options and redevelopment opportunities under one roof; the station now features six platforms, a bus station, 22 000 m2 of office space and 150 homes.

A car and bicycle park with room for 720 vehicles and 6 000 bikes is located on the roof; architect Koen van Velsen was responsible for the overall aesthetic design.

The reconstruction of Breda is part of a long-term programme of station works in the Netherlands that has seen a number of key hubs extensively remodelled, including Rotterdam CS, Arnhem and Den Haag Centraal.