Top Dutch museum opening delayed

The Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam's biggest attractions

The reopening of Amsterdam's world-famous Rijksmuseum has been postponed by a year for environmental checks on its renovation plans.

Culture minister Medy van der Laan told the Dutch parliament security measures were reviewed in the light of recent art thefts at several other museums.

Work at Holland's biggest museum is due to start in 2007, including plans for a cycling route under the building.

It shut in 2003 after an asbestos scare forced its indefinite closure.

"If the process of granting permits goes well, the Rijksmuseum will reopen its doors at the end of 2009," said culture minister Reny van der Laan.

The museum's collection has been on limited display since 2003 in the building's Philips Wing.

According to its official website, the New Rijksmuseum will cost a total of 272m euro (£189m).