Police 'soft on parking ban'

By rasha AL qahtani
TRAFFIC police are failing to enforce a ban on buses and trucks being parked in a residential area, says Manama Municipal Council.
Residents in Hoora are still complaining that there is nowhere to park because of the many trucks and buses parked in the area, despite a ban imposed by the council.
The council has put up signs warning that trucks and buses are banned from parking in the area, in co-operation with the General Directorate of Traffic.
But traffic police are not enforcing the ban, says council member Abdulaziz Ahmed Mohammed Al Khaja.
"When the directorate was asked why it was not co-operating, it did not give a clear reason," he said.
"The problem has been going on for four years and residents are continuously complaining about the parking problem."
It is being caused by drivers who take their company lorries and buses home and park them in the street overnight, said Mr Al Khaja.
They take up several parking spaces each, leaving no room for other residents' vehicles.
The trucks and buses involved range from four to 16 wheelers, said Mr Al Khaja.
"Trucks and buses take up spaces provided for three cars and in some cases for four," he said.
"There are many complaints from residents about these vehicles, which cause a big problem between them and the vehicle owners."
"The directorate is supposed to deal with violators in the area and charge them, but it is not.
"Sixty per cent of vehicles parked in that area are trucks and buses, which take up a lot of space and leave residents to suffer."
"These vehicles cause a lot of traffic congestion and complaints arise from families in the area."
Mr Al Khaja said the council would write to Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa this week, explaining the problem to him and seeking an answer. General Directorate of Traffic officials were not available for comment.