New, beautiful rest areas ensure that tourists park their motorhomes there, rather than paying at campsites. The camping host at Olderfjord Turistsenter experiences this. Because close to the campsite, a completely new rest area has opened. – We noticed it as soon as the place was opened. Then we struggled to fill places, says Helge Ragnvald Olaussen. And he is worried. Helge Ragnvald Olaussen runs the Olderfjord Tourist Center in Finnmark. Photo: Skule Isaksen / news The new rest area lacks signs for short-term parking, which means that tourists are not breaking any laws if they spend the night there for free. Olaussen says that this eats away at valuable income for the camping industry. – We in the industry face unexpected competition from the state, says Ragnvald Olaussen. Unmarked rest areas can also compromise safety, others believe. Motorhomes are tempted to spend the night for free at this rest area in Olderfjord in Finnmark. Photo: Skule Isaksen / news – Going beyond safety – It is very incomprehensible that there are no “camping prohibited” signs for motorhomes and caravans at rest areas. That’s what Jarle Buseth, branch manager for camping at NHO Reiseliv, says. According to NHO, more mobile homes on rest areas have become a problem across the country. And the organization is concerned about security. Olderfjord in Finnmark is passed by all road users on their way to and from the Nordkapp, a popular destination for tourists. Photo: Skule Isaksen / news Because on campsites there must be four meters between each mobile home for fire safety reasons. It does not apply to rest areas, because they are intended for short-term parking. But when this is not signposted, the tourists like to camp close together. – Instead of paying NOK 350 to stand safely and securely, you can stand for free and take the chance, says Buseth. Jarle Buseth is branch manager for camping at NHO Reiseliv. Photo: Teams Can ban parking at night The Ministry of Transport is aware that more and more tourists spend the night at rest areas. The ministry emphasizes that these places along the road are intended for tired drivers: – Some occupational groups are required to rest, but others will also need to rest, especially at night. Overnight accommodation is therefore permitted, says adviser Eivind Windingstad Stensrud. If motorhomes and camper vans pose a problem for those for whom the rest area is intended, the ministry proposes that signs be used prohibiting their parking at night, between 10pm and 8am. Graphics: Matheo Dolva / news But in that case who is responsible for setting it up ? – It is usually the municipalities that ask for a decision on this sign, but we can also use it at rest areas along national roads where motorhomes and camper vans have become a problem. Along county roads, the initiative should come from the county council, says Stensrud. Want dialogue and tips The Norwegian Road Administration is responsible for signage to all rest areas, but not for the information on the areas. Nevertheless, they want dialogue about challenges that may arise. – Get in touch if you see a problem at the various rest areas, and we will look into it. And together in dialogue we will find out if there is something we can do, says Solveig Hansen, acting department director, Norwegian Road Administration. Solveig Hansen is acting department director in the Norwegian Road Administration. She states that the rest areas are intended for short stops. Photo: Tora Jarnæs Vold / news Published 18.08.2024, at 17.46 Updated 18.08.2024, at 18.06
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– goes beyond security – news Troms and Finnmark
