By Mohammad Al-Ziyadi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

TAIF — The Municipality of Al-Woroud and the Traffic Department removed 20 traffic lights and closed down several intersections causing great inconveniences to the people of the area.

Abdulaziz Al-Nufaie said the municipality shut down a number of roads for construction work and did not take into consideration the needs of the area residents.

“The construction work is causing visual pollution and is driving away tourists and visitors who used to frequent Taif. The last traffic light that was taken down was at the intersection of Abu Bakr Road traffic light with Al-Dalal Street,” said Al-Nufaie.

Fahd Al-Jehani said the Traffic Department and the municipality only cared about decreasing the number of traffic lights and unifying the roads without thinking about pedestrian rights and accessibility for people with disabilities.

Abdulmohsen Al-Otaibi said the changes in the roads made it harder for pedestrians and people with disabilities to navigate through the area.

“It has also become difficult for the Civil Defense and Red Crescent vehicles to pass through in cases of emergency. The municipality has taken down the traffic lights at Abu Bark Road's intersection with Al-Jaish Road, Al-Diyafah and Al-Sail, Al-Dalal Street, Al-Jal Road, Al-Sindi Roundabout, Jibrah Road, the intersection of Road 25 and Hassan Road, Khalid Bin Al-Waleed Road, Al-Sitteen Road and the Sports City among others,” said Al-Otaibi.