Debate, Advise | Answer to Wigardt: The regulatory plan for double tracks to Seut was adopted three years ago

Under the heading FRP secures double track for Seuthevder group leader for Råde FRP, Kent Wigardt, that FRP with its votes in Råde municipal council on 18.04.24 secured the double track between Haug and Seut.

Wigardt, FYI: The regulation plan for Intercity Haug – Seut was adopted by the municipal council on 06.05.21.

The case he refers to in his debate entry dealt with an interpellation from the Conservative representative Kari Sogn about restricted areas in connection with the railway development, where the decision read:

1. It must be clarified quickly if and possibly when new route 5b with double track through Råde is to be realized. Areas cordoned off where no construction is to be done must be released, and any cordoning must not be wider or more than absolutely necessary for development.
2. Work must be done to ensure that there are 2 trains per hour to and from Råde station as a basic route, and more trains per hour during rush hour, by 2030.
3. Bane NOR must provide increased parking capacity at the existing Råde Station, without using topsoil.
4. In parallel with the design of the new route Haug-Seut and new station, Bane NOR must plan and build a new traffic-safe exit to RV110 from the existing station.

As can be seen from point 1 of the decision, a decision is not taken on the route itself, but on the public sequestering private property for possible and future development.

The restricted area is a good deal larger than the need for development. When an area is zoned, there will be a number of restrictions when it comes to new construction, additions, or changes in operations for a commercial property. That is why it is important for Råde Høyre to focus on restricted areas in the municipality.

When Wigardt writes in his debate post: “It is no secret that there have been internal disputes in the otherwise romanticized collaboration between Råde Høyre and the Center Party, when it comes to the new double-track train passage to Seut”, then this is directly wrong.

Intercity Haug – Seut was thus adopted in the municipal council on 06.05.21 with a fixed route, and was not on the agenda this time.

Council Center Party nevertheless wanted to use the interpellation to highlight that they no longer want the route to be built in the regulated area, while Council Right has not discussed the choice of route since it was not on the agenda.

So, no drama. The Center Party, KrF and Høyre i Råde are three independent parties that have a good cooperation agreement. An agreement that also gives freedom to promote one’s own policy in certain matters.