Manglerud’s Ongoing Battle with E6 Noise Pollution
In the heart of Manglerud, Oslo, residents have been enduring relentless noise from the E6 highway for over three decades. Robert Svoren, a local resident, describes their situation as “a hell” that has worsened significantly since he first moved to the area. Originally, the traffic volumes on the E6 were bearable, with around 20,000 vehicles a day. Fast forward to the present, and that number has skyrocketed to an astonishing 90,000.
Community Responses to Traffic Stimulation
Svoren, who has lived in Manglerud for more than 30 years, highlights the impact of this traffic increase on the local community. He and fellow residents have been actively campaigning for the traffic to be diverted into a tunnel since 1992. This sentiment resonates with other locals who feel the noise pollution is a detrimental factor to the well-being of their families. Eili Vigestad Berge, a mother of three, has seen her children grow up near Høyenhall school, situated perilously close to the noisy highway. “This is a wound in the local community,” she states, emphasizing the need for a solution.
Health Concerns Amidst Growing Traffic
Residents like Dag Bjerke from Bryn environmental forum express their worries not just about noise, but air pollution as well. Many families live within close proximity to the highway, raising concerns that airborne contaminants may lead to serious health issues. “The scariest part is what you can’t see,” he warns, making it clear that the health risks posed by the E6’s heavy traffic can be insidious. As housing density increases in the area, the reverberation of highway noise has become more pronounced, exacerbating already challenging living conditions.
Political Promises and Local Discontent
Over the years, local politicians have made promises regarding the alleviation of this situation. In 2019, Statens vegvesen introduced a plan for a new 15-kilometer highway route, including a substantial tunnel, but these plans were halted by the Green Party and Labour Party. “We felt betrayed by the Labour Party, as they’ve stalled our request for action,” Svoren remarks, expressing frustration with the ongoing delays. Despite hopes raised by the promises of the Høyre and Venstre parties during the election campaign, the anticipated changes have yet to materialize.
The Community’s Call for Action
Local residents are urging for more engagement from national leadership, particularly from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who has yet to visit their neighborhood.
“It’s a short 13-minute train ride from the city center. He’s welcome to see what we endure daily,” Svoren insists, reflecting the community’s desire for accountability and action.
Alternative Solutions and Future Prospects
In a bid for a concrete solution, proposals have emerged, including a suggestion by Obos to cover a segment of the highway with a 400-meter lid, which could accommodate 700 new housing units while mitigating pollution. Although the community is not against the idea of a lid, many feel it must span a more extensive area to be effective. “We need to balance cost and functionality to achieve a meaningful change,” Svoren adds.
Hope Amidst Decades of Struggle
Despite the community’s long-standing challenges, hopes for a tunnel continue to persist among residents. As children play outside, the loud rumble of vehicles serves as a constant reminder of what they are fighting against. Parents believe that reducing traffic and noise could enhance the quality of life and help utilize the area’s potential for residential development efficiently. “This is a community invested in creating a better future for our children,” Eili Vigestad Berge optimistically concludes. For over 30 years, residents of Manglerud refuse to abandon the vision of a quieter, healthier community.
