12 weeks became 2 years

The residents of the caravan have not been contacted by Sævarhöfði for a new working group set by the City of Reykjavik to find the new location, according to Geirdís Hanna Kristjánsdóttir, chairman of the Association of Cyclists.

She says that the original has been that the remedy in Sævarhöfði should have been temporary for 8 – 12 weeks. Geirdís says he hopes that the residents will be included in the council. You can read more about the working group below.

Were you supposed to be in Víðidal

Geirdís says that the residents of the caravan area are now waiting for the city’s representatives to contact. The residents have been promised consultation. Geirdís claims to have sent a memorandum to the city, which was intended to answer various questions that the city’s representatives had.

She says she originally prepared the memorandum when the group was allowed to have a refuge in Víðidalur. It was just over a year ago but later knocked off the table.

No place to raise a child

Geirdís says the representative of the City of Reykjavik has wanted to know something about the interests of the residents, how they envision the residence, etc. Then the city also had questions about the facilities of children in the neighborhood. Geirdís says one child lives in the caravan district of Sævarhöfði. She says the current situation is unacceptable to raise a child.

« You have nothing to do with a baby out there and allow it to play in all this junk, dust and disgust, » says Geirdís. She says the child’s parents have had to take her out of the neighborhood to play outside.

« If we were in a good environment that was neat and healthy, I do not prevent children from living in this way, as long as there is no irregularity. It is not in our group and we want to keep it that way, » says Geirlaug.

The old cement factory in Sævarhöfði, where the bikes live.

Photo/Sigurður Ólafur Sigurðsson

Like animals in a zoo

Geirlaug says it is a priority number 1, 2 and 3 for the group to have a green environment in a new location.

She says they are tired of « this gray environment and constant harassment from traffic. This is naturally a lot of trouble. » In addition, Geirlaug says heavy machinery has been in the area.

She says there is little space on the spot to act. « We have no privacy to sit out in good weather, other than feeling like animals in a zoo when people walk past, » she says.

Long tired of the situation

« We have grown tired of this situation. We were promised that we would be there for 8-12 weeks. On June 16, however, we have been in this place for 2 years, » says Geirlaug.

The City of Reykjavik Collaborative Group gives themselves half a year to find the residents a new resource. It appears in errand which was presented at a meeting of the Environment and Planning Division on Wednesday. It is therefore expected that the group will be in Sævarhöfði at least until next winter. Geirlaug says it feels « a little long time. »

« Then we need to be moving in the middle of winter, but it is not a race to bring such a device in slippery and snow. It can create a danger, » she says.

According to Geirlaugu, the devices that the residential area consist of are around 15. Residents are just over fifteen, but in most cases there is one population on devices.