DUTCH infrastructure manager Prorail has stopped tenders for the electrification of the 107km Nijmegen - Venlo - Roermond line, known as the Maaslijn, which was due to be completed by the end of 2024.

Prorail says the budget was due to be exceeded due to the increasing price of copper, steel and other materials, problems in delivery and effects of the war in Ukraine, all of which would have meant the project would have suffered delays.

The project, which also included upgrading and partially track-doubling the line, was initially set to cost €213m and was being financed by the provinces of Limburg (€100m), Gelderland (€21.5m), Brabant (€31.6m) and the Dutch state (€60m).

Arriva is currently operating the concession on the line with Stadler GTW DMUs, with these due to be replaced with Stadler Flirt EMUs once electrification is complete.

Prorail has warned there was a possibility that rail projects will be “hit hard” by the war in Ukraine and that it will also be more difficult to tender for new projects.