Along county road 714 in Trøndelag, also known as the Salmon Road between Orkland and Frøya, the residents struggle with a rather special problem. They keep finding full five liter cans of what is hardly clean water, even if that is what the label on the cans indicates. But the reality is probably a lot less pleasant. Because the contents are most likely human urine. The locals believe that the culprits are trailer drivers in need of a pee. That they most likely do what they do inside the truck – and then throw the jugs away when they are full. – It’s quite horrible, to put it bluntly. We wear gloves and put plastic bags over our arms to empty the contents, says Ola Halsen from Orkanger. Has seen it with his own eyes Halsen has been a driver himself, and says the phenomenon is not entirely new. There have previously been similar problems along National Highway 3 in Østerdalen, he believes. – It was almost a shock experience to see that it had happened here as well. Halsen confirms that they themselves have seen trailer drivers who get rid of the cans. – It’s certainly not illegal in any way, but very unpleasant. The local population is unsure where to turn to overcome the problem. They have been in contact with the county council in Trøndelag, but are told that the cans are thrown away on private land, and that it is therefore not a problem for the county. – This is a bit strange, because we often hear that the county councils own four meters of the land from the road and in the terrain. But that may not apply this time, says Halsen. – Everyone wants to go for a clean shower Jan-Terje Mentzoni is deputy managing director of the Norwegian Truck Owners Association. He is clear that littering should not occur. – Of course, it should not be the case that someone throws bottles or jugs of urine along the road. Littering must not occur, regardless of the reason. Mentzoni hopes the transport companies, who run these routes, have a chat with the companies they drive goods for, so that the drivers can have opportunities to use the toilets where they pick up goods. When asked if there are too few public toilets along the road, he replies as follows: – The fact that there are not good enough sanitary conditions along the road for professional drivers is nothing new. And it is something we are constantly trying to get the politicians to do something about. Mentzoni further elaborates: – One thing is certain, and that is that these drivers would not have done this if they had had other opportunities. Everyone wants to go to a clean toilet and be able to shower in a clean shower. Professional drivers are no different from ordinary people. The roads are their factory floor and it is a political responsibility to ensure that they get decent working conditions. Jan-Terje Mentzoni believes it is unacceptable that drivers litter nature with jugs of pee. He nevertheless points out that if they had had toilet facilities, the situation could have been different. Photo: NLF Won’t hang out anyone Ola Halsen from Orkanger doesn’t want to hang out long-haul drivers in any way, but he says the full jugs create unease in the neighbourhood. And points out that there should perhaps be a few more public toilets along the road. – Fortunately, there are not many children who travel along the road here, because if they had found the urine, then one can imagine some unfortunate situations. The dumping of the urine must have taken place for several months, according to local residents.
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Five-litre scanner with pee found along the “Salmon Road” – who are the culprits? – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
