The authorities are cracking down on selfish residents who are blocking public roads and bunkering down spaces to stop other people from parking close to their homes.
Cement-filled milk powder tins, watering cans, plastic cones and cinder blocks are among an array of objects used in their armoury which officials suggest makes the country look ‘uncivilised’.
“This situation is becoming critical,” Bahrain Health and Safety Society secretary and Capital Trustees Board member Dr Maha Al Shehab told the GDN. “People must remember that the spaces that they are defending do not belong to them.
“There are laws governing public spaces, especially in residential areas, and open available areas must be shared without disrupting traffic or other people’s lives unfairly.”
There are special circumstances, within the rules, that allow for exemptions to the policy with parking provisions allowed outside properties where the elderly or physically-challenged reside and when access is required for frequent ambulance transportation, for example.
“These are rightful permissions for reserved parking to be allowed with proper verification of documents,” she added, “but no one else can encroach upon public spaces in the manner we are currently witnessing. Action needs to be taken to maintain a civilised image of the country.”
The concern appears widespread in the Capital Governorate, particularly in densely-populated areas of Manama, Hoora, and Gudaibiya, as well as outlying suburbs such as Umm Al Hassam and Tubli.
The GDN has also been alerted of similar blocked parking issues in villages like Bilad Al Qadeem, Tashan, Khamis, A’ali, Sanad, and Nuwaidrat, as well as the inner streets of Juffair and Saar, and the areas surrounding industrial areas of Sitra and Salmabad. It was no different in the highly-populated areas of Muharraq, Busaiteen and Riffa as well.
The Capital Trustees Board has been receiving so many complaints from residents in and around Manama it instructed municipality officials to carry out regular checks and campaigns aimed at providing comfortable and safe roads for all.
The matter has been exasperated by the stifling summer temperatures with residents wanting to park as closely as they can to their homes, rather than walk any distance to and from their vehicles, and feel they are ‘entitled’ to safeguard spaces outside.
The Capital Municipality has taken to social media to record action being taken against offenders. Municipal workers were featured picking up rags, cans, metal rods, wood and plastic furniture that had been used to block parking slots in front of several homes and businesses.
“This issue is common in the Capital governorate, especially in my constituency of Manama,” said MP Dr Sawsan Kamal, adding that shop workers were also active in saving spaces in front of their businesses.
“The issue is not only down to residents, small shops like cafeterias often block spaces outside for deliveries and regular customers with wood, stone and whatever they can get their hands on – this is illegal,” he said. “I believe that with strengthened monitoring and penalties, we will find a solution to this issue.”
People found blocking the road could face fines of between BD50 and BD300 depending of the potential danger caused by their action, covered under three laws – 2019 Public Cleanliness Law, 1996 Public Road Occupancy Law and 1977 Buildings Law.
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