Dubai: The screech of loud brakes and foul smells have become a daily occurrence for residents living in the Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT) community, say residents.
Residents have voiced their frustrations on social media about their community streets being used as main routes for waste trucks driving to the sewer lifting station in Al Khail.
On Friday, a waste truck fell over at the community’s Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) junction at 6am, knocking a lamp post down and startling residents who were out walking their dogs.
While residents have continued to complain about the constant noise, and the spread of sewage smell into their homes, the community’s developer Nakheel told Gulf News it is a “temporary issue”.
“We are working to resolve this issue through discussions with the RTA on securing an alternative route for the trucks,” said a spokesperson from Nakheel.
With trucks passing through the community several times an hour, residents are wondering whether they are following UAE laws and using assigned dumping spots.
Nakheel commented: “We assure residents that the waste disposal process meets Dubai Municipality regulations,” and pointed out that with regard to security, “all gates into JVT are staffed by security personnel at all times”.
However, the issue, which many residents claimed has been ongoing for several years, has made it difficult for many people to simply open their windows or use their back yards.
British resident R.P. said trucks pass by Orchid Street every few minutes during all times of the day and even throughout the night. “It is noisy, and presumably damaging to our roads, which our service charges will then increase to pay for the repairs. The stench is revolting, and we can’t even use our gardens without vomiting,” she said.
R.P. also pointed out that the issue was previously raised by residents to the municipality, who confirmed that Al Aweer is the correct dumping spot for waste. “The issue stopped for a while when they gated the community, and sealed off the sand area in District 7, but now they have just reopened it, and it’s back,” said R.P.
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said the waste trucks almost ran her over while she was walking her dogs at 5.30am. “They did not feel the need to stop at the red lights on Orchid Street, and nearly ran us over. The area has become a racetrack every morning,” she said.
Myriam W., a resident who lives in District 1, said she has also suffered from the foul smell, which takes over the community, for over two years. “The issues comes and goes, sometimes it really stinks, and the trucks are driving around in the district even late at night. It is very annoying,” she said.
Complaints about the waste trucks date back to 2014 on social media. Residents living in the community back then, had also addressed the trucks speeding through the community while damaging the roads, every 10 minutes, seven days a week, with many referring to the spreading stink.
With no clear idea about when the issue will be resolved, residents are continuing to issue complaints to developer Nakheel and are hoping for a long-term solution.
