Opinions This is a debate post. The post expresses the writer’s views.
Unplanned crossing at Kiwi on Risum
Associated with the municipal elections this autumn, the Pensioners’ Party put a spotlight on traffic safety in the municipality. It mainly concerned the establishment of the crossing of the county road at Kiwi on Risum, where the municipal council has adopted a zoning plan which means that an unplanned crossing for pedestrians must be established.
Here are samples the administration in the municipality time after time to explain away the legally made decision that a simpler solution should be established that does not cost as much money as a plan-free solution does, which has been adopted. It seems as if the municipal council’s decision is not respected in any way in this matter.
Both previously mayor and the newly elected mayor completely overlook legal decisions made in the municipal council. Now the mayor can put this matter on the agenda, so that the current zoning plan is amended or implemented.
Imagine the thought if a private person had had a zoning plan adopted which, after several years, was not fully implemented. Then the administration would immediately come up with proposals for measures both for one and the other in strong terms. The way the municipality treats itself here is not something to be respected.
From the E6 to the city center area
The Pensioners’ Party also had another important matter in connection with the municipal election, in that something had to be done about the road from the E6 into the city center area. There have been serious accidents here for a long time without any measures being taken to address anything that would improve the situation. Most recently in HA on 9 April, there was an article in which a thorough review was made of many aspects of both car traffic and not least the school children who have to cross the road. It was also emphasized here that both the National Roads Administration, the county municipality and Halden municipality have not been active enough in getting something done in the Sørli area.
Here it was not long ago, the municipal council also adopted a zoning plan, when Kiwi was able to establish its trading activities without the entrance to Isebakke being done, which we think was very unfortunate. How passive is it possible to become from the political side? A grocery establishment was needed here, but why wasn’t something more incorporated into the regulatory plan that also dealt with a much safer crossing for the children?
What should happen now from the political side in Halden? Both the Labor Party and the Conservative Party will now carry out a revision of their state budgets in the Storting in May, where they will put forward their proposals for changes/additions. Earlier this year, the mayor approached Minister Nygård, minister for transport from Fredrikstad, who did not have any money to give for the aforementioned road section. The Conservative Party, which will also now make an amendment to its budget proposal, should now also receive an inquiry from Mayor Holm without delay that money must be allocated for the aforementioned road section.
Possibly so can also both mayor and deputy mayor, through all their parliamentary representatives from Østfold, make a joint inquiry to their central parties in the matter. There is also a solution. Next year there are Storting elections. Which party will then commit to doing something about the road stretch? It will be a central question for the Pensioners’ Party if there is no solution now.
For your information A few years ago, the political level in Halden made an inquiry that something also had to be done with the pedestrian crossing in the Remmen area. An underpass under the road was absolutely necessary here. That issue was resolved by incorporating approx. 15 million directly into the State Budget, where neither the municipality, the county nor the Norwegian Road Administration was part of the proceedings. If there is political will, there will also be results.
