UNDHEIM (Dagbladet): – I’ve been yelled at a lot, says Andreas Vollsund (H), mayor of Time.
The residents of Undheim on Jæren were tired of waiting for the county council’s prestige plans.
It could take years before the planned 20-30 million kroner walking and cycling path was in place. The residents feared for the safety of the children on the dark, heavily trafficked county road.
Therefore, Jærbuen took matters into his own hands. Without the county council’s blessing, the mayor decided to make his own gravel road.
– I have received messages from people who work in Oslo – typical bureaucrats – who say that this is madness, says Vollsund to Dagbladet.
The gravel road means that Emma Elisabeth Loug (8) can cycle straight out the door. The adults no longer have to drive her everywhere.
– That someone thinks the road should not be approved is foolish, says her mother, Louise Elisabeth Cowling.
Haaland and Kaizers
The mayor bends down and throws away a root lying on the narrow path. In several places the path is a bit odd, and certainly not according to the regulations. In one place, water accumulations occurred.
– It is not good, says the county council about the path.
– This is a bit bold, says the Time mayor.
– This was actually done over a cup of coffee in the barn on a farm up here, he says.
STEPPING UP: The improvised dirt road runs side by side with the county road. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet Show more
A still critical county council has made a number of demands for what needs to be improved and has been on several inspections, he says. But it obviously doesn’t make much of an impression.
He describes the “typical Jærbuek”, who takes a stand when needed and gets things done. He mentions that Erling Braut Haaland, Kaizers Orchestra and Arne Garborg all have their origins in Time municipality.
– I mean we get things done and put ourselves on the map.
Stick to Oslo
The municipal disobedience does not stop here. He talks about the plans for several such roads here in the district. In addition, the mayor wants to have the paths asphalted.
– There is something called “good enough”. I think Oslo and the cities have something to learn from this. You don’t need to build motorways when you create cycle paths, says Vollsund.
STAR MEETING: Right after the interview with Dagbladet, the mayor meets an old acquaintance on a home visit: Erling Braut Haaland. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet Show more
– Has Erna said anything about a Right-wing mayor making such a rebellion?
– No, she hasn’t. But I intend to try to get her out here. This fits like a glove in the government’s plans for more local self-government. The county politicians in my party understand the sense in this. It is mostly the bureaucracy that gives resistance.
The “Undheimsmodellen”, he calls it. The road was made at a tenth of the price that had been planned.
– If the municipal minister or the state administrator were to come and take this back, I would have “been rehearsed” (surprised, journ. note).
REBELLION MAYOR: Andreas Vollsund. Video: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet Show more
– Not okay
Rogaland county council is still critical of the dirt road. They are positive about solutions to reduce construction costs, but emphasize that you must apply to create a footpath close to a county road.
– Establishing a footpath along a county road without permission from the authorities, and in such a way that it damages the county road and road construction, is still not good, writes Aksel Grunnreis, section manager for administration in Rogaland county municipality, in an e-mail to Dagbladet.
– Are there any significant weaknesses in the road, which means that one should not continue investing in such roads?
– As mentioned, the county council is concerned that we should get more bang for our buck. At the same time, it must be the case that we follow laws and regulations about applying before building, he replies.
Must go out into the country
– We have made so many demands in this country that we are unable to implement things, says Mayor Vollsund.
He hands out a third punch to people “inside Oslo”:
– If we don’t get it approved, I’m willing to take it all the way to Oslo. City people must travel out into the countryside and see what challenges we have and what we stand for.
A car honks past. An arm is stretched out of the window and beckons to the mayor.
– Everyone up here is delighted.
– I am greatly provoked when they sit inside and look at some nice maps and decide how it should be done, he says.
2023-07-01 14:13:56
#Rebelled #Built
