Sharjah: The Sharjah Municipality will be scrapping free midday parking in the emirate beginning on April 1.

Motorists using paid parking areas will have to pay corresponding fees from 8am until 10pm, except on Fridays and public holidays, when the new rule takes effect.

Currently, parking is free between 1pm to 5pm, which has been the case for many years. 

Last November the Sharjah Municipal Council took a decision to end free midday parking, as reported by Gulf News.

Officials had then said the move would prevent motorists from occupying parking spaces for the whole day, which restricts the flow of shoppers and visitors in busy areas.

Ultimately, more open parking spaces will be available for shoppers, especially around vital and commercial zones, officials had said.