Transport issues under scrutiny in Húsavík as municipal survey reveals community concerns

Transport and road conditions in the municipality of Húsavík are under scrutiny according to a recent large-scale municipal survey conducted by Kringvarp, organized by Lóður. Dávur Sørensen, a council member, believes the feedback relates to the village roads surrounding Húsavík, affected by ongoing work on the tunnel to Dals that has been in progress for nearly five years. The first groundbreaking for the Dal tunnel took place in November 2020, following preparatory work that began in 2019.

Sørensen noted that the travel situation in and out of the village has been significantly disrupted, likely influencing survey responses regarding the roads. While he finds the internal roads quite acceptable, he suggests they could use more frequent repairs for potholes. The bus service has improved since the opening of the Sandoy tunnel, which previously rendered it difficult for commuters to reach the capital, Tórshavn, on time.

Local resident Tórunn Magnussen argued for wider roads, indicating they were initially designed for horse-drawn carriages and cannot handle the current heavy traffic. Furthermore, she highlighted that work on the sewage system in Húsavík is still incomplete, having taken several years and facing costly delays.

The community desires better prioritization of conditions for boats and the harbor, as many residents have observed a lack of activity in the local marina this year. The municipality received disappointing reviews for communication, averaging just 2.8 out of 10 in the survey, with calls for more informative meetings about community issues.

In terms of housing opportunities, the municipality scored well, with residents giving it 66 out of 100, amid plans for new plots in Húsavík and surrounding areas priced between 50,000-60,000 DKK. Despite some concerns regarding local activities, Magnussen expressed her contentment living in Húsavík.