Residents of Azaz city complain about the poor street conditions and the substandard road network in residential and secondary areas.

While the main streets receive regular and consistent attention from the local council with improvements being made, the side streets suffer from widespread potholes, and streets fill with mud after rainfalls.

Potholes are prevalent on several main roads, including the road connecting the industrial area to the Citadel Roundabout, and the road extending from the Clock Square towards al-Zarra bakery, in addition to a number of residential neighborhoods and popular areas, such as Maraanaz neighborhood and Doaa Hospital street.

The area’s residents are urging the local council to take immediate measures to improve the streets, especially with the onset of winter.

Nylon bags

Khadija al-Sheikh, a university student from Azaz city, resorted to wearing nylon bags on her feet in an attempt to keep her shoes and clothes clean while walking to university.

Al-Sheikh told Enab Baladi that leaving the house without a car or a means of transportation is very difficult because the ground is filled with mud, and it is uncomfortable to walk on.

Even with the use of nylon bags, the situation remains dire for al-Sheikh as they reduce but do not completely prevent mud pollution.

On the other hand, Ahmad Naima, a motorcycle taxi driver, only leaves his house for utmost necessities, if the ground is not dry and weather conditions are not helpful.

Naima, who lives on the Industry street next to the municipal stadium, told Enab Baladi that he uses his motorcycle to earn his livelihood, and its movement is affected when the ground is wet, as mud accumulates in large amounts around the bike’s wheels, leading to malfunctions.

Mud and potholes are unavoidable as they extend for 40 meters from the neighborhood where he lives, so he is forced to wait for the earth to dry before he can leave and protect his only means of transportation.

Hassan Qabso, a car owner living on Khirbat Nada road, told Enab Baladi that the potholes are not just a stumbling block for vehicles but have become a recurring cause of his car’s breakdowns, ranging from breaking the lift rod to deviations in wheel alignment.

Qabso is hesitant to repair his car, believing it is a waste of money since the source of the problem is ongoing.

An ongoing project

Abdullah Haj Othman, the head of the media office at the local council of Azaz city, told Enab Baladi that the council monitors the street paving and road edging processes, gravel laying, and pothole mending on a daily basis.

However, amid the continuous expansion of the city and the emergence of new neighborhoods, the amount of work on the shoulders of the local council is increasing while the budget is not sufficient.

Haj Othman clarified that paving the Industry road is an ongoing project and has a full paving plan, but at present, the paving project is taking place in the southwest neighborhood. After its completion, edging will begin towards the east, reaching the Industry road.

The population of Azaz city has recently increased, witnessing an expansion in the urban area. The local council recently improved the infrastructure of new neighborhoods, where the road near Aleppo University was paved with gravel and improved and one of the latest projects is the paving of Clinics street.