– It is completely incomprehensible that it is possible to create something like that. I didn’t think it was possible. Jostein Løwe in Osebakken Vel looks towards the giant green footbridge in one of the oldest districts in Porsgrunn. Jostein Løwe believes that the bridge solution is completely out of place in the older part of Porsgrunn. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen It reigns in the landscape. After the municipality gave the green light to a footbridge, which according to the decision should fit in naturally. It cannot be used by cyclists, prams and/or people with disabilities. – It is especially so when you know how rigid municipalities are towards private individuals when it comes to universal requirements. But when they have to set up a bridge themselves, it’s perfectly fine here, says Løwe. “Monster bridge” – It is very easy to see why neighbors call it a “monster bridge”. Leader of the Architecture Rebellion, Thomas Flemming. Photo: Julie Brundtland So says Thomas Flemming, leader of Arkitekturopprøret, an association that works for tradition-based aesthetics. – The bridge looks like a temporary, cheap steel structure that rises higher than many of the detached houses around. It doesn’t fit in, explains Flemming. What do you think of the footbridge Stylish Have no opinion Would have been fine if it was also suitable for wheels Not the prettiest thing I’ve seen Doesn’t fit in the area Show result The association: Political belly flop The sometimes bitter battle between the association, Bane Nor and the municipality led to a number of debate entries and newspaper reports. The background to the bridge noise What originally caused the need for a new transition was the development of the Osebakken Park housing project in the area. The charity in the area has for several years fought against Bane Nor and the municipality’s plans. Instead of a footbridge over the railway lines, they wanted an underpass accessible to more people. In the decision on the bridge from 2018, it is stated that the municipality must investigate the possibilities of a collapse until the requirement for an unplanned crossing is met. The Green Party submitted a formulation that any bridge should be adapted to its surroundings and give the impression that it belongs naturally in the area. In 2018, the city council nevertheless decided on a bridge with barely a majority. The charity believes the result is a political slap in the stomach and believes the decision comes across as empty words. The bridge is not universally designed, so that people with reduced mobility can use it. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen – The bridge does not fit in at all with the low-rise buildings here. It is very dominant and divides the district in two, Løwe believes. Has become an attraction Porsgrunn municipality has not yet taken over the bridge from the developer. But the much talked about “monster bridge” has become a talking point and an attraction many people want to see with their own eyes. The footbridge as it is in its surroundings. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news Anne Grete Nowboth walks the dog and tries the stairs for the first time. She chooses to see it as good stair training. – But it is huge then. I don’t think it fits in very well with the environment. Anne Grete Nowboth thinks she will use the stairs often, as she lives nearby. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen Leif Haug does not normally walk in these streets, but has taken the trip precisely to climb the eight-metre-high staircase. – I had to see, me too. It’s probably not that easy to go over here, but I want to try. Haug sets off up the steps and returns a few minutes later, slightly out of breath. – It was nice to go there, but it was heavy. But I am 81 years old, he says. The best of several bad options Group leader for the Labor Party, Trond Ingebretsen, believes that it was absolutely necessary to get something done with part of the area which previously consisted of old, run-down industrial facilities. Instead, a dozen new apartments will be built in the Osebakken Park project. And it was the housing project that triggered the demand that something had to be done about the railway crossing. According to Bane Nor, the apartment complex will increase traffic and risk at the level crossing. – A level crossing always entails a risk of collision. We therefore want to remove as many transitions as possible and replace them with either overpasses or underpasses, says Pål Buset, who is project manager at Bane Nor. In Norway, there are 1,585 level crossings on sections with regular train traffic. 1,235 of them are without road safety systems. It is the developers of the apartments who have to pay most of the bill for the bridge in Porsgrunn. The municipality contributes around NOK 3 million and receives maintenance and mowing expenses. Group leader Trond Ingebretsen agrees with those who believe that “Monsterbroa” is not pretty. Photo: Tom Ole Buaas Ingebretsen is not satisfied with the bridge solution either, even though it was he who put forward the proposal: – The bridge itself is far from pretty. Everyone agrees on that. But it was the best of the bad variants to choose from. Flemming in the Arkitekturopprøret believes the bridge is neither aesthetic nor appropriate. – It is stated in the Planning and Building Act that local politicians are responsible for ensuring that what is built has good visual qualities. It is very common that local politicians do not want to deal with that section at all, he says. The bridge in Vidars gate on Osebakken in Porsgrunn is over eight meters high. Ingebretsen emphasizes that they tried several different options. The politicians also considered creating an underpass, both where the bridge stands and in other places. – But it was not possible to realize within normal financial limits. We also tried to close it completely, but we were not allowed to by Bane Nor, he says. Can still end up closing the bridge – Why can the municipality build something that not everyone can use, when the requirements for private people are often strict? – It’s not like we’ve done what we want here. It was up to the Equality and Discrimination Board, which thought it was an acceptable solution. Because there are alternatives where you can walk around, says the Ap group leader. Nobody who wants that Trond Ingebretsen admits that this has been a difficult issue for years. – It’s boring. We feel a little powerless, because the railway is where it is. Bane Nor has its requirements. We tried to find the lesser evil. He opens up the possibility of checking whether the municipality can eventually close it, or whether there are other solutions. – No one really wants it. It only costs money and is ugly, says the politician. Published 15.12.2024, at 10.22
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