Heritage expert Peter Schat welcomed the release of a €2.7 million reserve by the province of North Holland for restoration work on the Defence Line of Den Helder. The money was reportedly discovered by chance by a member of the provincial council, but it will not all go directly to the defence line. Some of its old, Napoleon-era bunkers are in very poor condition. The Heritage Society Heemschut proposed using part of the funding for urgent repairs and hiring people to raise additional funds. Restoration of the defence line has been discussed for more than 20 years, but has not yet taken place.