Sharjah extends deadline for removing vehicles

Abdullah Al Shewaikh, Head of the Public Relations Section of the Sharjah Municipality, said all residents and used car showroom owners of Abu Shagara, who were asked to move their cars from unauthorised parking areas by late Monday night, will now have another three days to carry out the order. The notice period will end on Thursday, he added.

Motorists who fail to comply with it will be charged a heavy fine (Dh500 onwards) at the time of recovery of vehicles in addition to furnishing an undertaking that the violation will not be repeated in future, Al Shewaikh said.

He added that the municipality extended the 24-hour deadline to give car dealers time to arrange for a place to park their cars. “The municipality earlier had provided them with some space to park their vehicles, but they continued to park their vehicles in unauthorised places including areas reserved for residents and also for fire engines, police and ambulance lanes causing inconvenience to residents.”

The municipality towed away on Sunday night 11 cars found blocking roads and entrances to buildings. Most of the owners of these 11 cars have recovered their cars after paying the Dh 500 fine and signing an undertaking that they would not repeat it again. “If a person breaches the rules again, the fine amount will be doubled,” he said.

Commenting on the traffic problems and the actions taken by the civic body, Dr Salah Al Haj, Director General of the Sharjah Municipality, said as part of its efforts to enhance its services, the municipality is now working on resolving the parking problem of used cars dealers.

“The municipality is working on projects that will be announced soon to settle the issue in the interest of residents as well as cars dealers who also need space to carry on with their business,” he said.