Station area

With the arrival of the new city district Entree, the station area on the north side (city side) of the Nelson Mandela Bridge will also get a new look. The preliminary design for a plinth building with a station hall and bicycle shed will be ready in August 2022. There is also a preliminary design for a bicycle bridge from the Afrikaweg to the station.

Why is the station area changing?

The new city district Entree provides a better connection between the station and the city centre. In Entree, the use of bicycles and public transport are central, so that more travellers come. This includes an easily accessible public transport hub and an attractive entrance to the station. The entire ambition for the station is written down in a Station Vision. The municipal council adopted this vision in May 2021. You can find the vision at the bottom of the documents.

Plinth building with station hall

Part of the ambition for the station area is the realisation of a plinth building on the north side (city side) of the Nelson Mandela Bridge. This is a two-storey building with facilities on the ground floor (the plinth) such as an open station hall, bicycle shed, parking garage, shops, catering and small businesses.

On the roof of the new plinth building you will soon be able to walk and cycle in a park-like environment or, for example, wait for your train on the benches.

Bicycle shed and parking garage

The bicycle shed has space for 1000 bicycles, with an option for future expansion to 2000 bicycle spaces. The main entrance to the shed is located on the new station ring road that is being constructed with greenery and water in front of the station. Or you can take the round bicycle stairs to enter the bicycle shed from the roof.

The 210 parking spaces of the existing private parking garage belonging to the Poortgebouw will be returned to a new parking garage.

Bicycle bridge

Part of the plans for Entree is an attractive cycling and walking connection between the city centre and the Nelson Mandela Bridge. The route is planned via the new city street Afrikaweg. You can then cycle from the city centre via the Afrikaweg and the Nelson Mandela Bridge to the Rokkeveen district. This is possible without using the lift or escalator of the Nelson Mandela Bridge. A design has been made for a free-standing cycle bridge from the Afrikaweg to the roof of the plinth building. From the roof you can cycle directly to the Nelson Mandela Bridge.

Respond and follow up

Residents were able to respond to the designs for the plinth building and the bicycle bridge via the municipality's participation platform Doemee until September 13, 2022: doemee.zoetermeer.nl | Station Zoetermeer . On August 30, there was a walk-in meeting about the station area. The preliminary design for a plinth building with a station hall and bicycle shed was on display. The design for a bicycle bridge connecting the Afrikaweg with the Nelson Mandela Bridge was also on display. The atmosphere report can be found with the documents.

All suggestions will be incorporated where possible into the final design that is expected to be ready in early 2023. The municipal council has reserved money for the plinth building and the bicycle bridge. The plan is to start implementation from the summer of 2023.