Residents Demand Answers as Dubai Delays Pedestrian Safety Initiative in Al Manara

Residents and business owners across Al Manara are expressing mounting concern over the Dubai Municipality's decision to defer a long-awaited pedestrian safety project that was originally slated for completion by mid-2026.

The initiative, intended to install additional traffic signals and designated crossing zones along a congested 2.3-kilometre stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road between Al Manara Road and Umm Suqeim Street, has been postponed to early 2027—a delay that community representatives say puts thousands at daily risk.

"We've waited almost three years for this," said a manager at a retail establishment near Al Manara Centre, requesting anonymity. "Every day, I watch customers and staff members struggling to cross safely. The current infrastructure simply cannot handle the foot traffic during peak hours." Peak-hour congestion in the area has increased by approximately 34% since 2023, according to traffic monitoring data reviewed by local officials.

The postponement has sparked discussions within the Al Manara Community Forum, which represents approximately 12,000 residents in the neighbourhood. Members have raised concerns about the lack of transparent communication from relevant authorities regarding reasons for the delay and revised timelines.

"We understand projects face challenges, but the community deserves clarity," noted a spokesperson for the forum. "Parents avoid letting children walk to school here. That shouldn't be the case in Dubai."

Local business associations have also voiced concerns about the impact on commerce. Several establishments within the affected zone reported declining foot traffic, with some attributing the trend partly to safety perceptions. One café operator noted that customers increasingly choose the newer facilities in nearby Al Wasl instead, where pedestrian infrastructure is more developed.

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has previously indicated that the delay stems from coordination challenges with utility companies and refined engineering assessments. However, detailed explanations have not been widely circulated among affected residents.

A petition currently circulating among Al Manara residents, which has gathered over 2,400 signatures, calls for immediate interim safety measures—including improved signage and temporary crossing barriers—while awaiting the full project rollout.

The municipality has scheduled a community consultation session for mid-July at the Al Manara Community Centre to address concerns and provide project updates. This engagement represents a rare opportunity for residents to directly influence the government's approach to neighbourhood infrastructure planning.

For now, residents continue navigating the existing crossing challenges, hoping that forthcoming dialogue will accelerate timelines and cement commitments from decision-makers.

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