Nowhere to walk in Adliya!

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

Citizens and residents in Adliya are calling for strict action to ensure the safety of pedestrians, including children and the elderly. People are frustrated by random vehicles occupying sidewalks and forcing them to walk on the road, causing fear for their loved ones.

Jaseela Mujeeb, a mother of three, expressed her frustration at the difficulty of using sidewalks for walking and parking. Also, creating awareness about the potential consequences of parking on sidewalks is needed, she says.

"Promoting public awareness is a crucial aspect of rectifying the sidewalk parking problem. Motorists must be made aware of the importance of adhering to parking regulations and the potential consequences of their actions."

Additionally, good signage must be used to remind drivers about the parking regulations, she added. "Informative signage and clearly marked pedestrian zones can serve as constant reminders, reinforcing the responsibility of drivers to prioritise pedestrian safety over convenience."

Adliya and Juffair, known for their vibrant nightlife and numerous restaurants, are facing limited parking spaces due to a lack of awareness among visitors from GCC countries about parking regulations, according to resident Fahim Uddin.

"Many visitors from GCC countries who are unfamiliar with the parking regulations tend to park their cars on the sidewalk in front of nearby hotels. This situation poses risks to pedestrians, particularly children and cyclists," Fahim said.

Residents are now calling for stricter enforcement of parking regulations and for imposing harsh penalties on violators. Increasing police presence in such busy areas would help maintain law and order and preserve the safety and sanctity of sidewalks, says another resident, Ahmad. He also pointed out that Bahraion's population was increasing, but the availability of parking spaces was not proportional.

"Adliya was not this crowded before. Juffair used to be the primary nightlife destination. However, Bahrain’s population has increased, leading to more congestion."

Urgent action is required by the authorities to ensure pedestrian safety and prevent children and the elderly from being forced onto the roads.