Former rope making facility may get new lease on life

VLAARDINGEN – The site of a former rope making facility, a 350 metre long lijnbaan which has not been used for years, may be around for the enjoyment of future generations when the area around it is given a proposed major facelift. The site, which was already used for rope manufacture as early as 1611, may be turned into a new pedestrian route. Vlaardingen and its neighbour Rotterdam were major port cities, which constantly required heavy ropes for ships. Rope makers at the lijnbaan laboured in the open air for more than two centuries. The structure, which is seven metres wide, has been neglected far too long and requires a major restoration.