Speed breakers trigger protests by residents

Springs, Meadows, Lakes and Emirates Hills residents claim they are being taken for a bumpy ride.

More than 100 residents have complained to Emaar, which is responsible for the massive residential development on the outskirts of the city, about speed breaks on the roads in the area.

They claim the bumps are unnecessary and dangerous and are causing more accidents than they are preventing.

However, Emaar says the bumps are effective and force vehicles and drivers, who would normally tear through the development, to slow down.

Many residents also say the breaks are damaging cars and, in particular, causing problems with tyres and suspension systems.

But it isn't all bad news as some residents praised Emaar saying that although they are unhappy about the bumps, they are pleased with the road works which have been taking place to improve the area's access to Shaikh Zayed Road.

Jonathan Miller, who lives in the Meadows, said: "The breaks are beyond a joke. I have three children and would never drive unnecessarily fast. But the bumps are completely over the top.

"The main roads through the entire development are predominately dual carriageways, with a thick central reservation and paths for pedestrians. The low speed limit and endless lines of speed breaks make it more dangerous for cars not pedestrians."

Earlier this year, residents launched a campaign in an attempt to get speed bumps on the internal residential streets of each separate phase of the development.

This was granted and homeowners said it had the desired effect by slowing down the vehicles travelling in streets and areas where young children were playing.

But just weeks later, bumps were also installed on the main roads around the complex.

Miller, 29, added: "People who are going to speed will still speed. But the majority of us who would respect a reasonable speed limit are being punished.

"A journey from Interchange Five to any of the Springs, Meadows and Lakes phases can take up to 15 minutes. It's a route that should take just five minutes.

"I believe that more people speed through the internal streets because they are so annoyed that their journey has already taken so long. There are already enough roundabouts to slow people down without the speed breaks."

Diane Jones, 42, lives in the Springs with her husband Phil and their two young children.

"I appreciate the breaks on the smaller streets but the ones on the main roads are just crazy. So many people have complained and yet they don't seem to do anything," she said.

"They damage the car and you use twice as much petrol slowing down and speeding up again. We don't drive like maniacs and the people who do, won't stop for a few speed breaks.

"You very rarely see anyone, especially children, walking along the paths which run parallel to the main roads so I don't think it would do any harm to remove the breaks ... However, I am pleased about the work to improve access to Shaikh Zayed Road.

"I used to queue for more than 40 minutes to leave the development at Interchange Five. But now there are various exits and it has dispersed the problem," she added.

Motorists can leave the development via interchange five to go to Jebel Ali or Bur Dubai, or from a recently opened exit onto Shaikh Zayed Road adjacent to Emirates Golf Club or from a similar exit parallel to the Greens Community development.

Vehicles can also leave at the back of the complex on to Al Khail Road or the Emirates Road. Emaar has recently installed 'Cat's Eyes' in front of each speed breaker to warn motorists.

Reaction
'Move to encourage safe driving within area'

A spokesman for Emaar said: "The speed humps within the Emirates Living community and on the main access roads have been implemented to encourage drivers to adhere to a safe and sensible speed within the residential area.

"The speed humps are designed to slow down all vehicles and reduce the speed limit to a maximum of 40km/h. Emaar customers are welcoming this solution, especially the villas situated on the main roads as the speed humps help reduce noise pollution and increase overall safety for pedestrians," the spokesman said.

"In fact, the authorities are currently working on a programme of revising the speed limits in all residential communities and the adjustments will soon be noticeable throughout the city."