Several municipalities in Denmark, including Aarhus and Rebild, are facing protests from residents after initiating a process of transferring ownership of municipal roads to homeowners. The move, framed as a “gift” by the municipalities, is being met with resistance due to concerns about the financial implications for residents.

The primary source of discontent stems from the fact that residents will now be responsible for covering the costs of road maintenance, street lighting, snow removal, and other related expenses previously borne by the municipality. This shift in financial responsibility is perceived by many as an unfair tax increase, disproportionately affecting those living on the roads in question.

While the transfer of ownership might suggest that the roads become private, allowing residents to restrict access, this is not the case. The roads transition into what is termed “private shared roads,” meaning they remain open to public access.

The only aspect that becomes private is the financing, which falls solely on the residents. Despite the change in ownership, the municipality retains the authority to decide on the standard of road maintenance.

Municipalities claim that the transfer is not driven by cost-saving motives but rather by the argument that the roads are no longer essential for public traffic. This justification is viewed skeptically, considering the roads remain accessible to the public.

Another justification cited by municipalities is the principle of equal treatment of citizens, acknowledging that similar roads may have different statuses due to historical reasons. However, critics argue that true equal treatment would involve municipalizing all roads.

Furthermore, residents are now tasked with establishing organizations, such as homeowners’ associations or road associations, to manage the shared roads. Participation in these associations is not mandatory, which could lead to administrative challenges.

The issue is not new, and the suspicion that it is a cost-saving measure has been around for some time. The Danish Parliament intervened in 2010 to address similar attempts, with the then Minister of Transport Hans Chr. Schmidt halting a municipality’s efforts to circumvent the law.

Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality is now addressing inequality by municipalizing a number of private shared roads. The councilor responsible in Aarhus, Nicolaj Bang, belongs to the Conservative party.