Headline: Snowbound in Sandefjord: Residents Left Stranded as Kommunen Stops Clearing Roads
Article:
In the heart of Sandefjord, residents awoke to a heavy snowfall on Monday, expecting the familiar sight of snowplows clearing their streets. However, what they found was silence and a surprise that would leave them stranded for days.
Kamfjordåsen residents Eirik Hannisdal Ask and Inger Dokken were among those left shocked when snowplows failed to appear. Ask contacted the kommunen, only to be told that the road was now private, and they wouldn’t be clearing it.
"To stand here with snow up to our knees and no sign of a snowplow, it was quite a surprise," said Ask. "If it was an emergency, we wouldn’t have been able to get out, and help wouldn’t have been able to get in," added Dokken.
The snowbound residents aren’t alone in their frustration. In Flintveien, residents woke up to find their neighbors’ roads cleared, except for their own. Sandefjords Blad reported that when locals contacted the kommunen, they too were told that their road was now private.
Communal Communication Breakdown
Both affected areas report a lack of communication from the kommunen. Inger Dokken suggests, "Had we received notice, we could have prepared and found a solution." Phillip Longva Karlsen, the kommunen’s unutsleder for drift, acknowledges the issue, "We haven’t changed the status of these roads from kommunal to private, but we have discovered faults in our digital snow-clearing system that might explain the situation."
When pressed about the lack of communication, Karlsen replied, "We haven’t given any notifications, as we haven’t gone out and told them that anything has changed. But we have found that some roads were being cleared even though they weren’t part of our task. We’re still looking into it."
Stranded in Snow
In Kamfjordåsen, residents tried using snowblowers. However, the deep, packed snow made it impossible. Even those with remote work options found themselves trapped, while others worried about missed workdays.
Ingrid Ask, a student, found her school commute hindered. "I was really upset that I couldn’t go to school," she said. "I’m part of a musical, and I couldn’t practice my lines properly." Fortunately, her brother stepped in to help.
Eventually, a neighbor’s tractor provided much-needed relief. Later, the kommunen showed up to clear the road, but Karlsen warns, "The road will be cleared up to the kommunal pump station. Those living along this road are responsible for arranging their own snow clearance."
As talks of dialogue and solutions begin, residents hope for a quick resolution. Karlsen promises a review of their actions and inactions. "We must reflect on what we’ve done and haven’t done," he says.
Publishing Time: 08.01.2025, kl. 20.43
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