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Deja vu: Parking woes irk visitors to Arab Health, again!

Dubai - Vehicles were seen worming in and out of lanes along second Zaabeel Road to try and make the left turn at the signal for Trade Centre road.

The opening day of Arab Health 2016 may have had the crowds abuzz with excitement with all things medical, but the traffic congestion outside seemed to mimic that of Gitex 2015, with moods around the carpark more one of frustration.
"It happens every time," British expatriate Laura Jackson told Khaleej Times.
After leaving her apartment in Motor City at 9.15am to allow "plenty of time" for her scheduled meeting at 10.30am, the plan didn't quite fall into place.
"I literally made it to the registration desk one hour after leaving my house. At most it should be a 25 minute run, not one hour."
Though she made it to the venue in good time, it was the parking that became problematic.
"It was like déjà vu all over again. I come every year and suffer the same fate. I finally managed to get parking in the multistorey but I'm dreading the exit fee, it'll cost about Dh100. If I brave it tomorrow, my car will be staying at home."
Vehicles were seen worming in and out of lanes along second Zaabeel Road to try and make the left turn at the signal for Trade Centre road, which did little to ease the congestion.
Visitors were also seen exiting vehicles and taxis which sat stationary in the traffic to instead make the long walk to the Centre's entrance to avoid further delaying their journey.
Travelling from Pakistan to visit Arab Health, Dr Nadir Khan said he comes every year and uses the same transport.
"The best option for me is the metro. I get a taxi to Union station and take the metro from there."
He said "too much traffic" puts him off driving.
"There is so much congestion and everyone is in a rush. I hear it's hard to find parking too so I'll stick to the metro every time."
Though large free carpark lots sit directly opposite the World Trade Centre, many were seen driving around and around in a bid to find a spot.
On site traffic organisers were on hand to direct cars in and out of the lots but due to the spacing constraints, they could do little to remedy the problem.
One staffer said huge crowds always come on the opening day of such big conferences and said the parking will likely become more manageable over the coming days.
Attending Arab Health for the second time, Deema Saidi said she too took the metro.
"It was busy in the morning but manageable. The exit crowds tend to increase so I'm not looking forward to the big swarm. I'd still rather take the metro than deal with the headache of parking though."
Both paid and free parking is available at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The multi-storey parking has 1,385 paid parking spaces and there is also a multi storey car park next to Shaikh Rashid Tower with 885 spaces. Free outdoor parking areas are located off 312th road close to the Convention Gate entrance as well as additional parking near the Za'abeel entrance.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com