Enjoying a beer and watching the sunset along the beach of the Waal: a common occurrence during the summer to many students in Nijmegen. Until last year, when a curfew with an area ban was implemented, which will be enforced again this year. Unacceptable, according to students in Nijmegen politics.

Three students from different political parties therefore joined forces. Political fraction follower Mika Kraft (PvdA) and local councillors Sophie den Ouden (D66) and Sander van der Goes (GroenLinks), together with Charlotte Brand (PvdA), submitted written questions to the city council. Their aim: to keep the beaches open again in the evening and at night.

Why? Because those beaches are extremely valuable to many students, Mika Kraft explains. ‘You can easily get together there and have a great summer,’ says the Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology student.

Summer symbol

A little background. For many students, the beaches along the Waal are often the symbol of summer in Nijmegen. With some music, drinks and barbecues, there is often a relaxed, nice atmosphere. But sometimes, the area along the river Waal is also the scene of nuisance. Local residents complain about noise and rubbish, and thefts and fights are said to occur.

For this reason, a curfew was introduced last year: from 22:30 to 6:00, the area was off-limits. Anyone who did go there between that time was fined 100 euros. This Sunday, the rules go back into effect. Officially, the ban – like last year – is a trial: after this summer, an evaluation will be made of how the policy surrounding the beaches will proceed in 2023.

‘It must have been hard mentally to have nowhere to get together’

But that ban needs to be lifted, Kraft thinks. The fraction follower therefore submitted written questions with his fellow party member and fellow students. ‘The beach is simply the perfect location for students to socialise in summer because everyone is there,’ he says. ‘No other place in the city does that better.’

Debate

The decision to close the beaches again this year was, according to Kraft, taken rather abruptly. ‘Normally we discuss these things during municipal council meetings, but that was not the case this time,’ he says. ‘That is not right: it is important you debate about these kinds of decisions, especially because these measurements need broad support and the area is important to the younger generation. This was especially the case during covid.’

During covid, students had to look for alternatives. That was difficult, because cafes were closed. ‘It must have been hard mentally to have nowhere to get together. But for people that do not want to spend their evenings in a café, it now becomes harder. This way, there is almost nowhere left to go for them in the city.’

‘I hope that we can do a lot more for students in the coming years’

Goals

Either way, it is unfair that a small group of people ruins the fun for everyone else, according to the fraction follower. ‘People act as if young people are scum who spoil things there, but that is only a small group. The vast majority behaves very well.’

With the written questions, Kraft wants to achieve short- and long-term goals. The student hopes that the city council will soon discuss keeping the beaches open, so that ‘everyone can look at the situation’. In the longer term, it must be made easier to clear up litter – by placing bins, for example – and more enforcement must be deployed. ‘We realise that this is difficult and can cost a lot of money, but given the importance we must all be able to weigh up the pros and cons,’ says Kraft.

Youth coalition

The questions have now been submitted and will be dealt with within six weeks. Given the broad support from several parties, Kraft is hopeful for a reopening. It is the first ‘youth coalition’ since several students were elected to the Nijmegen city council. ‘It is nice to be able to do this together,’ concludes Kraft. ‘I hope that we can do a lot more for students in the coming years.’