During the presentation period, a total of 125 comments were received on the proposal for a coastal zone plan in the Westfjords and 97 comments on the proposal for a coastal zone plan in the Eastfjords, which can be accessed here on the web. Among them were additional comments from the Icelandic Transport Authority and the Icelandic Road Administration, which were received by the Icelandic National Planning Agency on October 6.

In a joint review by the Icelandic Transport Authority and the Icelandic Road Administration based on a thorough review of the areas, recommendations were made on maritime safety in certain areas.

The Minister of Infrastructure established a working group on maritime safety in the use areas. The working group consisted of representatives of the Icelandic National Planning Agency, the Icelandic Road Administration and the Icelandic Transport Authority. The task of the working group was to respond to the issues highlighted in the additional comments of the Icelandic Transport Authority and the Icelandic Road Administration, and to submit proposals for a change in the design of the coastal zone or for adequate countermeasures on maritime signs.

During the work of the working group, representatives of the Icelandic Coast Guard, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, ship captains and the port managers of Ísafjörður, Bolungarvík and Vesturbyggð were met.

The working group considers it possible to ensure maritime safety in most cases through changes in the labelling or addition of provisions in the coastal planning that relate to the equipment arrangements. The working group considers it necessary to improve the issue of maritime safety and to have a risk assessment for maritime safety carried out when granting permits in coastal areas.

The working group’s recommendations can be found here: