ProRail, the state-owned Dutch railway network operator, is cutting its workforce by 15% over the next three years.

That means about 600 jobs will go – or around 200 a year, ProRail said. The company said it will do all it can to prevent compulsory redundancies.

The company is cutting jobs because it has been told to reduce its budget by some €250m a year. Most of the jobs will go in support functions. ‘The reorganisation will not impact on maintenance staff and supervisors,’ the company said.

ProRail also cut 200 jobs in 2012.