The government has put 13 new road and three waterway projects on hold because of nitrogen-based pollution problems, rising costs and staff shortages.

The work would have included improvements close to the A9 at Rottepolderplein, on the A2 near Den Bosch, and several traffic blackspots on the A1. The decision to cancel the work was taken in March but the locations were not then made public.

The cancellations will save €4 billion, which will now be invested on other infrastructural improvements, roads minister Mark Harbers said.

Provinces where the projects have been cancelled have responded with disappointment, broadcaster NOS said. In particular Overijssel and Gelderland have urged the government to press ahead with projects which have been scheduled for years.

It is disappointing that we cannot continue with these much needed projects, Harbers said. “But it cannot be done in the short term. And in a sense the decision is positive because we can use the money for much needed maintenance projects elsewhere.”