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Dubai: Free residential parking areas are being transformed into paid parking zones in Bur Dubai, causing panic amongst residents.
Residents say they always parked for free and as no commercial outlets exist nearby, they do not understand why they are now being targeted to pay for parking.
Residents living near the old Pakistani consulate area close to the cemetery and Al Fahidi roundabout say that the older residential buildings do not have integrated car parking and they rely on the outdoor free car parking spaces.
One resident who wished to remain anonymous said he has lived in the area for about 30 years and does not believe that there is any need to have people pay for parking in this area.
"There is nowhere else to park. There should be at least one space for each apartment allocated otherwise it is just discrimination. Middle class families live here and they have many financial burdens. Paid parking seems very unfair," he said.
He said parking would add an expense of Dh1,500 per year.
Another resident said she has not been alerted about the parking meters or plans to introduce fees in the area but has gradually seen them being installed.
Spreading
"There are a couple already put up but they don't function yet. I've seen the places where they plan to put more up, it looks like the whole area will be paid parking," she said.
A neighbour from a building close by said he has seen the parking meters arriving and cannot afford to pay to park outside his own house. "Only residents park here. Some of the newer buildings have underground parking but not us and some people have more than one car. I don't know what we'll do," he said.
Gulf News contacted the Roads and Transport Authority, but no official was available for comment.
Have your say
Do you suffer from parking inconveniences? What are they? Send us photos of these problems at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Your comments
The parking meters put up in the old Pakistani consulate area are causing too much financial burden for us middle class families. Most of the buildings here do not have parking spaces.
Mimi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2007, 09:41
In Deira, I pay around Dh450 a month for parking space in a private parking area. There is absolutely no place on the street side to park our cars. Most of the spaces are taken up by trucks.
Murtaza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2007, 09:40
We have moved from the Abu Shagara area in Sharjah because of the problem of finding a parking space. Now we live in Bur Dubai, which has a similar problem.
Jane
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2007, 09:32
Parking in residential areas should be free. Converting these free parking areas into paid parking zones is just ridiculous.
Shagufta
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2007, 09:31
I live in Hor Al Anz where parking is free. But this Friday, we residents were shocked to find parking tickets.
Nahida
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2007, 08:37
This paid parking scheme will only make Bur Dubai more congested. Not all buildings here have parking spaces.
Venkat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 01, 2007, 08:23
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