DUBAI The owners’ association boards and residents of Palm Jumeirah have raised a storm on the restrictions placed on the manmade island for the days leading up to New Year when record-breaking fireworks will be attempted here.
Susan Dinor, Chairman, Golden Mile 1 and Board Member, Golden Mile 2, said: “Residents should not have such unreasonable restrictions imposed on them. The legality of the move is also questionable as it has been done without consultation and approval of owners’ association boards.”
Golden Mile resident Dounia Baha said the development has caught her off-guard.
“I had planned a party for 20 people. I find it embarrassing to ask my guests to take public transport to visit my place. I am trying to arrange passes for them and I just hope they don’t charge us for it.”
Some residents wondered what would happen if there’s an emergency. “I am celebrating New Year’s Eve in Jumeirah Beach Hotel while my children are going to the Sandance party. What if there is an emergency and I want to rush back? We have been told no vehicle can enter The Palm until 1am. This is ridiculous,” said Aussie expat Hanan Bakkar who lives in Shoreline.
On Monday, residents got a circular saying they will need special passes to access The Palm from December 28 onwards.
Notice
“Due to the planned World Record Firework display on New Year’s Eve, we have been informed that there will be significant access restrictions to the Palm Jumeirah. We strongly suggest that all residents who are expecting visitors to encourage them to use public transport on 31 December. There will be no visitor parking allowed. No pass means no access to The Palm,” read the circular issued by Novus Community Management, which manages Golden Mile.
Each Palm resident will get a vehicle pass for every parking bay they own. Residents can get their vehicle passes from their building concierge after showing residency proof. Their guests will also need a vehicle pass to enter The Palm. A maximum of five vehicles will be allowed per villa. The rest will have to use public transport, but they’ll still need to carry a pass which will be checked near the Monorail station in Al Sufouh.
The public car park between Golden Mile buildings 6 and 7 will be closed from December 28 onwards and any vehicle parked there will be impounded. The trunk road will also be closed from December 29 onwards and no parking will be allowed on the Crescent of the Palm.
That’s not all. After 10.30pm on December 31, residents will not be allowed to take a leisurely stroll outside their homes. They should also banish the thought of ordering takeaway food as delivery boys will be prohibited entry after 5 pm.
It’s not clear how residents who are not in the country will cope with the restrictions when they return for New Year’s Eve.
A case in point is that of a Jordanian expat who’s flying back to Dubai on December 31.
“I have been busy preparing for my trip and have no clue where I should get my passes from,” the Shoreline resident said shortly before heading to the airport on December 24.
Restriction schedule
December 28
All residents living in Golden Mile, Shoreline, the North and South Residences must display a vehicle pass to gain access.
Every resident will be issued one vehicle pass for each parking space they own. Passes can be collected from residents’ building concierges after providing proof of residency.
The public car park between Golden Mile buildings 6 & 7 will be closed. Any vehicles/boats/trailers not removed will be impounded by authorities.
December 29
The trunk road will be closed between 9pm–10pm.
No parking on the Crescent of the Palm will be permitted from this day onwards.
Rehearsal of fireworks will take place between 8–10.30pm
December 31
8am onwards: All visitors will require a pass to gain access to The Palm. Visitors coming in a taxi will have to show their pass at the check point, near the Monorail station on Al Sufouh Road. Guests coming into apartments or villas on The Palm can collect their passes in advance or have them collected by their friend living on The Palm from their respective concierge. All passes are sequentially numbered. A maximum of five guest vehicles will be allowed per villa. Catering services may enter only until 5pm. If the guests are coming in a vehicle that already has a vehicle pass, the guest will not separately require another pass.
7–10.30pm: A Park and Ride facility will be set up at the Monorail station on Al Sufouh for those with reservations at events on the Palm.
10.30pm-12.45am: All roads will be closed and no vehicle will be allowed to enter. Walking around in The Palm will be restricted after 10.30 pm. Swimming or kayaking after dark will be restricted.
12.45am onwards: Roads will reopen and taxis will be queued up on Shoreline.
Passes for Atlantis, The Palm
Sandance passes: Sandance revellers will have to exchange their tickets for wristbands at AUD; they will then be transported by an RTA bus with an exclusive ‘Sandance express’ lane that takes them straight to the event. According to the hotel, it will take no more than 10 minutes to reach the party. No other passes are required. All Sandancers must go to AUD first as there is no other way to come to the New Year’s Eve party.
Package passes: Those with Gold, Silver and Bronze package reservations with Atlantis, The Palm can get their passes from the Spice ballroom daily between 10am and 7pm. On December 31 passes will be issued only until 3pm. People in private cars will need another vehicle sticker to gain access. No private vehicle will be given access to The Palm after 9pm. The hotel is advising against driving on New Year’s Eve and recommend people collect their tickets before December 31 since passes must be with guests from 8am on that day.
With inputs from Shveta Pathak, Staff Reporter