Oslo, Health | Neighbors despair over intoxication: – Can’t start with civil protection

(NAB): – It’s absolutely awesome!

This is what Erik Rekdal, chairman of Sogn terrasse housing association, tells us.

Already earlier this spring, he and board member Anne Riise went out and warned about the problem. Rekdal does not feel that they have been taken seriously.

– I spoke to a lady on Sunday 28 April. She had woken up at six in the morning and noticed that there were ten buses along the road up here.

The housing estate is located right next to Klaus Torgårds vei, and many Russians gather here probably because of the McDonalds restaurant.

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Uncertain about the way forward

Rekdal says that he has been in contact with the City Environment Agency, which he believes does not take the residents seriously. He tells about several inquiries from the residents.

– I don’t know what to do anymore. The residents contact us at the board and ask what we are doing about the matter. We do what we can, but we can’t seem to start with civil protection here either. The fact is that no matter what the Urban Environment Agency may think, the Russians park in the area, he says frustratedly.

People get very worried

The main problem, according to Rekdal, is the loud noise from all the buses. The lady he was contacted by said the sound was so loud that the windows could break.

– She wondered if our windows would withstand this loud sound. I assured her that it would probably go well, but at the same time I fully understand that older people get very worried, he says.

He now has a clear message to both the Urban Environment Agency and the police.

– The best thing would have been a clear message to the Russians that they cannot actually stand here.

At the same time, Rekdal understands that the police also have other things to prioritize.

– There are other things happening all the time in this city, so I understand that the enforcement of a possible parking ban would be a bit complicated.

Rekdal will also make a clear appeal to the Russians.

– I would ask them to respect that even though they are now celebrating, the rest of society has jobs to go to and thus needs sleep and rest.

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It is important that the Russians show consideration

The press officer on Russen’s executive board, Simen Preus Dovland, says he understands the residents’ frustration.

– It is important that Russians show consideration when they are in an area such as Gaustad, where people live who go to work or school, he says.

He believes that Russia itself has a responsibility to show consideration.

– It’s awkward, of course, that the neighbors can’t sleep. Loud music, for example, should rather be played in more suitable areas than precisely in areas with a lot of built-up areas.

Dovland believes the area at Gaustad is particularly popular because of the 24-hour McDonald’s restaurant.

– It is easy to get to, and there is also room for a number of buses in the area.

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Considering taking over

The restaurant at Gaustad has already introduced measures which mean that Russians can only bring takeaway food. Dovland believes the reason why many of the buses still choose to remain standing is complex.

– It can be anything from queuing to get food to waiting for someone or not quite knowing where to go next.

Dovland states that complaints about noise have not been discussed within the Russian government, but does not deny that this will now be done.

– You should not ignore the fact that we are now going to have a discussion on this, to see what we can do to help resolve the situation, he says.

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Little can be done

The press officer at the Urban Environment Agency, Monica T. Olsen, writes in an e-mail that there is little the agency can do to help the residents. She refers to the police, which she believes is the public authority that can do something about the problem.

– The issue of noise from shuttle buses extends far beyond handling roads and parking areas. Noise and other disturbances are the responsibility of the police. The role of local sign and road authority gives limited access to regulate people’s behavior – including the Russians, she writes.

She can, however, state that the Urban Environment Agency will follow up on any incorrect parking.

– Our city officers will follow up the area with checks on incorrect parking, explains Olsen.

When we ask why no one, after this has been a recurring problem for several years, has managed to solve the problem, the answer from Olsen is again that a solution lies outside the Urban Environment Agency’s area of responsibility.

Nordre Aker Budstikke has contacted the communications department of the Oslo police district. They have so far not commented on the matter.