Amman municipality cracking down on illegal use of sidewalks

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has started intensifying its campaign against shopkeepers and residents who block sidewalks, a GAM official said on Tuesday. 

Ahmad Ebbini, director of the GAM department for monitoring street vendors, said the municipality's departments are working to ensure that pavements are safe for pedestrians.

"We have noticed that more vendors are showcasing their goods on sidewalks and more restaurant owners are putting tables on the pavement than last year, which is a source of inconvenience for pedestrians," he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Ebbini said west and downtown Amman are the main areas that witness such violations. 

"The teams work all day to make sure they catch violators," he added. 

The municipality official said many valet parking workers park the cars of their clients on pavements, and this is also a violation. 

"We confiscate the goods that are displayed on sidewalks and fine the violator JD300," Ebbini noted. 

In a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times, GAM urged residents to report any violation they see on sidewalks through the municipality's smartphone application. Residents can also send an e-mail to Shakawi.dwn@ammancity.gov.jo or contact the municipality through social media.