Truck restrictions spell misery in Sharjah

Truck drivers who need to go in and out of Sharjah are finding that their lives have been made even more difficult by the introduction of new peak time restrictions.

Heavy lorries have been banned from all roads in the emirate between 5.30am and 9.30am, 1pm to 3pm and 5.30pm to 9.30pm. The restrictions mean that it could in theory take more than 24 hours to complete a round trip to Jebel Ali.

The new timings could mean a delay in transporting construction materials onsite causing a further delay in delivery times for projects.

Mohammed Chekfah, a truck dealer in the emirate, said, "Getting in and out now is much harder - far too difficult."

The knock-on effect is obvious. Paul Austin-Price of Jebel Ali-based truck manufacturers Gorica said, "It will affect our customers, though it is something we have been expecting for some time."

There are stories of drivers literally living in their cabs, while the sight of them brewing tea on the side of Emirates Road while they wait for the restricted times to pass is increasingly common.

A joint statement issued by the General Department of Police in Sharjah and the Planning and Survey Department said that the new timings would increase traffic flow at peak times and reduce congestion. To these ends, it appears to have had a positive effect.

Mr Yazan, a truck dealer who uses a regular car for work said, "It is very good now, at least until 9.30am I can get to my office much more easily as the flow of traffic has improved."

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