« Irreversible » damage to archaeological remains in Laugarnes

Utilities’ construction projects have caused « irreversible » damage to the protected area of ​​Laugarness.

Laugarnesvinir, informal organizations of people who care for the Laugarneestang, have been responsible for signature collection for the protection of Laugarnes in the hope of protecting the entire area, but part of it is already protected under the national law. It is the town hall, the cemetery and the so -called beds in the meadow.

Part of the beds was cut apart with a ditch yesterday, when large Veitur Veitus machines went directly into the protected beds. This was done, according to Þuríður, without the knowledge of the Ministry of Ministries. In response to inquiry mbl.is, Veitur, on the other hand, says that the Ministry of Ministries has been consulted for the project.

« The reason is that it should be laid from utilities, » says Thuríður Sigurðardóttir, Laugarnesvinur who was born and raised in Laugarnes town. « These are just terrible vandalism. »

The Ministry of Ministries stopped the construction work

When Laugarnesvinir saw what was heading yesterday, they contacted the Ministry of Ministries, which answered at the same time, stopping the construction, although it was said to have been fully seated. The developers did not know that the area was protected and quickly reviewed it with the machines.

Successfully rescued the cemetery and the townhouse, which she says thankfully, since it had been marked with red that the canal should also go through those areas.

« As far as I know, a permit from the Ministry of Ministries is required if protected antiquities are within 100 meters of the construction area. Here, the motorcycles were stabbed vertically into protected monuments, » says Thuríður.

The area’s protection plan from 2016

The territories are both protected on the Natural History Register and on the protection plan for the Laugarnestanga Memorial Area, which was signed in 2016 by the Ministry of Ministries and the City of Reykjavik.

The introduction of the program states that the purpose is to best ensure the protection of the archaeological remains and to provide guidance on the interaction of protection and utilization, planning and operation.

On the protection and administration of archaeological remains, the Cultural Monuments Act no. 80/2012. In the Laugarnestanga monument area there are protected archaeological remains as well as age -frozen archaeological remains and the aforementioned value of stricter rules.

Based on the outermost boundaries of protected archaeological remains, there is a 100 -meter immunity area, but 15 meters based on the outermost boundaries of age -consumed archaeological remains. All projects within the privacy area are prohibited without the permission of the Icelandic Ministries.

Red labels show that it was about to go through the barn of the town and around the cemetery.

Photo/Submitted

« Terrible damage and completely irreversible »

Asked what the situation is now, Thuríður says he has contacted Líf Magneudóttir, the Left Green’s point of view in Reykjavik, who has responded as soon as contacted the staff of the City of Reykjavik and the Environment Division of the City of Reykjavik, « and it is just waiting for answers from them ».

« These are horrible damage and completely irreversible. This is a ditch and excavation of the canal is up to three to four meters into these regional spots, parallel to the Sæbraut, and quite clean and clear markings that the canal should go through the barn of the town and the town.

Utilities say that construction permits have been granted

In the response of Veitur to the request of mbl.is on the matter, a high-voltage cord is being submitted for a new Veitur Veitur substation at Sægardi 1. The purpose of the project is to ensure energy exchange for goods and passenger transport in the area, as well as increasing the general capacity for energy exchange.

The work has been in preparation for some time and consulted with the Ministry of Ministries on the matter, which requested that Veitur have archaeologists in monitoring the project.

Now the developer has started work on site but not entered the area that requires the monitoring of archaeologist. It is planned to be done on Tuesday.

Archaeologists believe that on -site antiquities do not disturb at such a small depth, but according to a description of the work, about 60 cm depth is dug.

« This is a sensitive area and wants to provide problems with all projects.

Photo/Submitted