The line from the center of Bergen to the district of Åsane has divided the city between the seven mountains for many decades. After the election this autumn, it is still unclear what time it will take place, and whether there will be anything at all. Bjørne Grimsrud, former road director, now managing director of the Transport Economics Institute (TØI), believes the city is in good faith against no light rail. The reason is a political signal to prioritize more car traffic. Instead of facilitating zero growth. This was the main message when he gave a speech at a conference in Bergen on Friday. – I am pessimistic, both for the light rail, but also for the climate, he says. He believes this, regardless of whether the track is to go in a tunnel or over Bryggen. Major traffic congestion In the cooperation agreement with the new city council, it is stated, among other things, that there is a need to realize several large transport projects in the coming years. They also want to improve parking conditions in the city centre: “The city council is concerned that all residents should have access to the city centre. We therefore do not support a transformation of the city center where parking spaces are removed without good replacements. Good parking facilities are also important for the town center trade and the city council will look at various incentives to increase accessibility, for example by building more parking facilities and reducing fees,” it says. All projects which, according to Grimsrud, will increase traffic towards, in and around Bergen. Thus, they are working against the urban growth agreement, which pays for measures that reduce car traffic. A light rail over the Bryggen in Bergen has been argued about in Bergen for a long time. But a lot of new traffic in Bergen can simply shelve the entire track, regardless of where he is going. Reduction in car traffic occurs through both restrictive parking policies, higher tolls, and effective land policy, according to Grimsrud. In his time, he was involved in negotiating the City Growth Agreement. Furthermore, it means less money for Bergen, especially when they have to compete with other cities for the same money. – “Bergen” is not written on money in the National Transport Plan or in the state budget. It says “zero growth” and “urban growth agreements”, says Grimsrud. The state will therefore direct the money where it gets the biggest climate benefits, he believes. – There is a mismatch between what is used as a basis for achieving zero growth and the political signals one reads from the city council declaration, he says. The urban railway in Bergen is helping to shape urban development, TØI believes. Here from Skjold. Photo: Bergit Sønstebø Svendseid Uncertain for the light rail And add that the money in the urban growth agreement is not earmarked for Bergen or other cities, but that it is directed towards what space is left the most for them. – The research shows that in order to reduce car traffic, you have to have a restrictive parking policy, high tolls, and effective land policy, he says. Grimsrud has noticed that the Bybanen has been moved further down the priority list in the agencies’ input for the new National Transport Plan. At first it was suggested that construction would start in 2032, now it is 2035. – The light rail to Åsane lives an uncertain life, and it will require a lot of political work to get it realised, he believes. Must get traffic away from the center Christine Kahrs (H), city councilor for urban development in Bergen, does not agree with Grimsrud. – For the city council, it is important to cut emissions, and our ambition is to strengthen the public transport initiative and stop through traffic outside of Bergen, says Kahrs. In order to achieve these goals, she believes that Bergen must work for several transport projects on a vegan basis, such as the new E16 Arna-Stanghelle and the new ring road. – We have to keep the traffic away from the city, says Kahrs. – Did you put the light rail system at risk with this policy? – No, I can’t understand why I should do that. We’ll get to the light rail, she replies. Municipal director Anne Iren Fagerbakke in Bergen municipality believes that both the previous and current political leadership have been clear about the light rail. – This was put forward in a recent meeting with the Minister of Transport and Communications and in a steering meeting of the Environment Initiative, says Fagerbakke. Traffic is heavy in Bergen, especially over Danmarksplass. The city council believes that this traffic must go away. Photo: Jørgen Eide Ferry-free project creates new traffic In addition, the city council supports the Vestland county municipality in the plans for a ferry-free road between Stord and Os (Hordfast). This is a project which, according to Bjørne Grimsrud, will create a lot of new traffic, and again is completely contrary to the climate goals. – Together with Rogfast, Hordfast will contribute to reducing air traffic between the two largest cities in Western Norway, and at the same time facilitate increased restructuring and increased value creation in Western Norway. By realizing the east ring road, and at the same time continuing the development of the light rail to Åsane, this will reduce traffic in the city centre, Kahrs believes.
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Sounding the alarm about a political signal from Bergen about more car traffic – fears it will affect the Bybanen – news Vestland
