Okaz/Saudi Gazette

TAIF – Residents of the resort city of Taif have expressed disagreement over the selection of a new court building, saying it is located far away from the downtown while the road leading to the area is notorious for traffic congestion.

“The new court building is located in a residential complex on Shihar Road on the southern edge of Taif, near Radf, resort and it lacks sufficient parking,” said resident Abdullah Al-Malki.

The building should have been selected based on specific criteria to make it convenient for people to access, he added.

He said it is the only court to serve more than 1.5 million people who live in Taif, Hawiya and nearby towns and villages. He urged the authorities to chose a suitable building in another locality due to override various shortcomings.

Mohammed Al-Subaiee said the new headquarters of Taif Court lacked enough parking facilities as people would have a hard time finding places to park their cars when they visit the court.

He said the three-story building allows parking for the vehicles of court employees in the basement. “The lack of proper parking facility will affect the visitors, especially women and the elderly,” he pointed out.

Fahd Al-Qurashi also believed that the selection of new court building was not done properly. “It has so many drawbacks. People have to travel long distance from downtown Taif to reach the court,” he added.

He said the new building is located on a busy road that witnesses heavy traffic due to the presence of important institutions such as King Faisal Hospital and the Mental Health Hospital as well as several parks, restaurants and markets along it.

“I am sure the Justice Ministry must be paying a huge rent for the facility. Rents of shops and showrooms on Shihar Road are very high. Property prices on this road are the highest in Taif,” he explained.

Al-Qurashi urged the ministry to review its decision to rent the building. The court should be placed in an ideal location easily accessible for people all over Taif.

“The new court building should have enough parking facility and people should be able to visit the court without being held up in traffic jams,” he concluded.