A local election meeting in Utrecht, the Netherlands' fourth city, has ended with seven political parties commiting themselves to a ban on new road construction.

Participants at the noisy meeting waved banners opposing plans for road construction works and fired off sharply-worded critical questions. Candidates for the local council were accused of putting the interests of motorists before the interests of children whose health is affected by the fine particulate matter produced by fuel-burning vehicles.

The public talked seven local parties into signing a covenant with the citizens of Lunetten neighbourhood, promising not to agree to any widening of motorways if this would compromise living conditions. The city of Utrecht is surrounded by motorways, and fine particulate matter levels are close to EU limits.

Four other political parties, which currently govern the city in a coalition, refused to sign the covenant, sparking anger among the 150 people at the meeting. Local elections will be held in the Netherlands on 3 March. (Blikopnieuws.nl, rtvutrecht.nl)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide