Last week, the state administrator granted a dispensation for the construction of a double track for the railway through the Åkersvika nature reserve in Hamar. It happened 18 days after the Norwegian Environment Agency said no to the construction of a new motorway across the Lågendelta in Lillehammer, which is also a nature reserve. That decision was celebrated by conservationists as a victory. Now they support the extension of railway tracks through the vulnerable conservation area in Åkersvika. – Painful dilemma – I say quite frankly that this has been a difficult and a painful dilemma, says Ole Midthun, who is the leader of the Nature Conservation Association in Inlandet. DILEMMA: Leader of the Nature Conservation Association in Inlandet, Ole Midthun, says it is about different types of cases. Photo: Knut Røsrud Although in both cases it concerns two nature reserves with important wetlands for birds, he believes they are two completely different interventions. – In Åkersvika, there is talk of expanding an existing intervention in the conservation area. We believe that is a completely different type of intervention than building a new and large four-lane motorway such as is being discussed in the Lågendelta, says Midthun. For several years, Åkersvika has been the subject of discussion regarding the E6 and the motorway. But now it is about upgrading the railway. More beneficial to society The county board of the Naturvernforbundet i Inlandet agree that they will not complain about the planned development in Åkersvika in Hamar. They assume that double tracks will provide better public transport and thus less climate emissions. In addition, the assessment is that double tracks for trains are far more beneficial to society than motorways. BENEFICIAL TO SOCIETY: The Nature Conservancy believes that trains are more beneficial to society than motorways. Photo: Knut Sveen / news – We must seriously intervene in conservation areas, even if it is a measure that we want to a greater extent than a motorway. But then there is an assessment that we have to make, says Ole Midthun. The Nature Conservancy in Inlandet has worked for many years to speed up the intercity development, both because it will provide an even better train connection between Oslo and Inlandet and because more of the freight transport can then be moved from road to rail. – We believe that this is a very good thing for the climate, but also for nature, says Midthun. No alternatives Regarding the development of the E6 past Lillehammer, several alternatives have been investigated. For the railway across Åkersvika, there are no alternatives. Either you build double track into Hamar, or you don’t. There are no alternatives outside the conservation area. – And then we end up here, on the fact that we don’t end up complaining, says county leader Ole Midthun.
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Conservationists bite the sour apple – accept development in nature reserve – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
