Opinions This is a debate post. The post expresses the writer’s views.
Now some time has passed, I have almost forgotten the feeling, but now old memories are brought back to life.
Who doesn’t remember this lovely gas station in Knarvik? Shell Select with the best sausages, the station with the friendly staff, the shop which was always open and a natural gathering place for both young and old.
Even I, who want to keep the day of rest sacred, appreciated an ice cream and a cold Coke on a random Sunday morning. I could only drop by Selecten after the service to enjoy this sugar bomb in the picnic area in beautiful sunshine (because yes, the sun always shone in the eyes of those who worked here).
Then it disappeared, both the sun and the station.
They had virtually no choice. They could not continue if roads were closed to build health centers and roundabouts. How to run a gas station without cars? Of course it doesn’t work!
Now the opportunity has opened up again, but Norway’s development has created problems for a possible new opening. There have been an enormous number of electric cars, and the need for fast charging has never been greater. We at KrF believe that both state, county and municipality have a responsibility to prepare for the future, and thus the infrastructure that must be in place in connection with the electrification of the car fleet in Norway. Here, Alver municipality must also be on the ball and aware of its responsibility.
After “Selecten” was almost forced to lay down foundations in an important construction project in Knarvik, they also gave up 345 m2 to the municipality so that we could have a footpath and driveway to the new health centre. Now they are ready to bet again. However, they need space! They need approx. 100 m2, to be able to build a future-oriented “energy station”.
A station that can deliver both diesel, petrol, electricity, car washing, hot dogs and cold coke!
The majority in the chairmanship voted down the request for the purchase of 100 m2 from the owner of the plot, on 18.04.24. This is based on the fact that the municipality’s neighboring land may be important for the development of Knarvik in the future. In this connection, it must also be added that Shell actually contributed NOK 270,000 at the time to a feasibility study regarding a cultural center in Knarvik. The matter will come up again in the municipal council on 02 May.
KrF believes that a re-establishment of the energy station/petrol station would be important for our municipal center in Knarvik. The station can be an important offer for the vehicles that pass through, but also for the residents who live and work here. For example, we have nurses who could certainly think of filling their coffee cup late on a Monday evening, in order to get through a demanding night shift.
Whether the municipality will sell or rent out for a longer period is not the most important thing for KrF. The most important thing is to find a solution.
As of now, Alver municipality has no concrete plans to use the area that the energy station needs. Thus, we in KrF do not see any problems in saying yes to an offer that will contribute to the development of Knarvik. Shell in Knarvik has previously contributed both land and money for development, but unfortunately gets a closed door from us in Alver municipality when they ask for something in return.
Hopefully in the future we can bring up the following sentence in a phone conversation with a good friend: Shouldn’t we just have a sausage in bread down at Selecten?
