Motorists and pedestrians lament rising encroachment on roads and pavements in Avenor

Motorists and pedestrians lament rising encroachment on roads and pavements in Avenor

Road users in parts of Accra’s Avenor and North Industrial Area are voicing alarm over the increasing takeover of road space, warning that the trend is disrupting traffic and endangering lives.

For daily commuters and pedestrians navigating the bustling commercial hub, movement has become a growing struggle as roadside activities increasingly compete with vehicles for space.

Along various sections of the area, road corridors have been encroached upon by broken-down vehicles, bicycle displays, livestock trading, and other commercial operations, shrinking the room available for both vehicles and pedestrians.

The problem is most pronounced during peak hours, when drivers are forced to slow down, weave around obstacles, and at times share single lanes.

Residents say the situation has steadily deteriorated over the years, turning what used to be a fairly smooth route into a stretch notorious for congestion.

“It’s very risky walking by the roadside because there is no space left on the pavement,” said Aysha, an egg and pepper seller living in the area.

She linked part of the challenge to buses that park along the road after returning from long-distance journeys.

“Some of the buses take over parts of the pavement when they come back from their long journeys, and they are faulty. Sometimes it takes months before some of them are repaired,” she explained.

According to her, the obstruction creates problems for both motorists and pedestrians.

“Sometimes the moving cars get congested in one place because it’s difficult for them to move freely. It causes traffic and leaves pedestrians stranded because there’s nowhere to pass, and we are even scared for our lives,” she added.

The mounting pressure on road space is also being fueled by commercial activities operating close to the roadway.

A bicycle seller, who spoke on condition of anonymity, defended the practice, arguing that displaying bicycles along the roadside remains the most practical way to draw customers.

“There’s no way or place we can showcase the bicycles unless we display them by the roadside on the pavement. That’s what attracts more customers for us to get sales,” he said.

The trader acknowledged that pavements are intended for pedestrians but insisted that business realities leave them with few options.

“We have left a bit of space for people to pass, even though we know the pavement is meant for pedestrians. But business must go on,” he added.

Livestock traders in the area also occupy parts of the road corridor with cattle and sheep.

One trader, Faisal, said the setup was mainly for convenience and visibility.

“We keep the animals here because it is easier for customers to see them when they pass. We can’t go anywhere because we’ve been doing this business here for a long time, and we have a lot of customers now. We’ll lose them when we move,” he explained.

“We acknowledge residents’ plight, but they should also understand that this is business,” he added.

While traders maintain these locations are crucial for their livelihoods, residents believe the growing encroachment is gradually undermining the road’s primary function.

Beyond traffic congestion, road users worry the situation could pose serious challenges during emergencies when swift access through the area may be needed.

They are urging authorities to step in and restore order to safeguard public road space before the situation triggers a major incident.

Credit to Myjoyonline