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More than a thousand street parking spaces have been removed in connection with the introduction of resident parking.
This weekend, Nettavisen was able to reveal that the municipality of Oslo is breaking its own rules for resident parking. At the same time the plan was introduced, many were prohibited from parking on their own streets, due to the width of the road being too narrow.
The purpose of resident parking is to secure parking spaces for residents; however, many parking spaces have disappeared in connection with the introduction of the resident parking scheme, this is confirmed by the Urban Environment Agency itself in a consultation document to which Nettavisen has had access.
– In some areas at certain times
When Nettavisen recently asked the Urban Environment Agency if it had an overview of how many parking spaces are lost in the Nordre Aker district, the response was that the agency did not have an overview of this.
However, in a consultation note to the regulations on resident parking in Oslo, the Urban Environment Agency admits that it can create problems for residents that parking spaces are removed at the same time as resident parking is introduced:
“Most of the changes considered in this consultation memorandum, if adopted, will mean that there will be fewer parking spaces available to residents.”
The Urban Environment Agency explains this with, among other things, the construction of bike lanes, the installation of an urban bicycle rack and excavation and construction work: “For example, it is planned to eliminate around 700 – 1,000 parking spaces in the resident parking areas within Ring Road 3 during 2018 and 2019. ”
Also Read: Gave Residents Huge Bill, Then Parking Spaces Removed
This means that more than 1000 parking spaces have been exhausted. In the fall of 2020, several districts and populated areas are included in the scheme, including most of the Bjerke and Nordre Aker district within Ring 3, as well as parts of Teisen, Høybråten, Stovner and Vestli.
The agency notes in its note that “there are reasons to suppose that in some areas at certain times it may be difficult for residents to find places. This will be especially true in areas where relatively many parking spaces are eliminated, while there are few alternative places to park. “
– Harder without resident parking
When Nettavisen asked Lan Marie Berg, Oslo Councilor for Environment and Transport, about the disappearance of views over parking spaces at the same time as resident parking is introduced, she responded in direct contravention of what is stated in the regulations: that there will be fewer parking spaces available to residents:
– Without resident parking, it would be much more difficult to find parking space in these areas.
According to the city council, the parking spaces that are now being removed would disappear anyway. That resident parking means that you have to find a parking spot at a distance is completely natural, the city council believes.
– It has never been the intention for everyone who wants to have a guaranteed public parking space right outside their door for a few hundred dollars a month. We don’t have space for that in the city.
HARDER THAN OTHERWISE: Although many parking spaces have been lost, Lan Marie Berg (MDG), Oslo City Council for Environment and Transport, says that parking has become easier: – Without parking for residents it would be much more difficult to find parking spaces in these areas, says councilor
Photo: Heiko Junge (NTB) / Morten Solli
– I’m getting very tired
– Should one be consistent with this? Can we now expect one to pay 50 percent more for resident parking and have the parking space eliminated?
This is what Nicolai Langfeldt (H), vice chairman of the vice chairman of the transport and environment committee at Oslo City Hall, says, who is concerned about the implementation of resident parking in the future:
– I’m completely tired of all this. They seem to be looking with light and lantern to make everyday life impossible for parents of young children.
According to Langfeldt, the plan does not appear to have been applied consistently. One of the reasons many people are prohibited from parking rather than parking is that the streets are too narrow, compared to a 5.5 meter width requirement.
But as Nettavisen has documented, these regulations have not been consistently followed:
– The way this is done seems completely arbitrary. The Nordre Aker district is one thing. But in areas with very small houses or in densely populated areas, there will be streets that are narrower than 5.5 meters, Langfeldt says.
Also read: Residents furious at the decision of the Urban Environment Agency: – We believe this is unreasonable
– The car must be stopped somewhere.
NAF has previously criticized the 50 percent price increase, although the organization is initially positive about resident parking as a practical scheme for those who live in an area.
– But then the Municipality of Oslo and the City Council should not remove so many parking spaces that resident parking becomes difficult to access for those who actually pay the municipality money to park outside their home, says communications manager Camilla Ryste at NAF .
Parking difficulties affect many residents, Ryste notes:
– In one place, Oslo residents must have their car stopped when the city council does not want it. Although most people use public transportation on business trips in cities, we need other types of trips in the afternoons, evenings, weekends and holidays, Ryste emphasizes.
Also read: Ikea lost in court – get bike lane through parking lots
In the practice of parking bans, the Urban Environment Agency refers to a regulation for emergency vehicles in Oslo with a gauge requirement of 5.5 meters. Fire Inspector Sigurd Folgerø Dalen of the Fire and Rescue Service states that therefore there is no absolute requirement of the fire service:
– We have a good dialogue with the Urban Environment Agency. When we ourselves have accessibility problems, parking on one or both sides of the street can be prohibited. But it is important to us that the working groups present themselves. We have no absolute requirement that the agency make signs at will; it’s about dialogue.
When streets get too narrow, they can get narrow and go beyond speed and passability, which in the worst case can have bigger consequences, the fire inspector emphasizes.
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