Sharjah authorities have warned that strict legal action, including hefty fines, will be taken against any vehicle entering Mleiha National Park without official authorisation.

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) said the park is a protected national site established by Emiri decree and governed by a strict legislative framework aimed at preserving its archaeological, cultural and environmental significance.

Shurooq stressed that unauthorised access by any type of vehicle, without exception, constitutes a direct violation of the park’s protected status and will result in financial penalties and other legal measures. The enforcement is intended to prevent damage to the park’s fragile terrain and irreplaceable archaeological remains, which cannot be restored once disturbed.

Mleiha National Park forms part of the Al Faya Site, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025. The designation places additional responsibility on local authorities to ensure the long-term protection of the site as a rare and continuous record of early human history.

Public access to the park is therefore strictly limited to approved, organised activities supervised by the Mleiha Archaeological Centre. All visits must be booked exclusively through the centre and conducted along designated routes in accordance with established guidelines designed to safeguard the site.

Residents across the UAE can expect a cool and rainy start to the week, as the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts light rainfall on Monday morning, January 26, amid an ongoing cold spell.

According to the NCM, temperatures are set to dip slightly, with generally comfortable conditions across the country. Monday’s weather will be partly cloudy to cloudy, particularly over coastal, northern, and eastern regions, as well as over the sea. Light rain is expected during the morning hours.

Temperatures are not expected to exceed 26°C nationwide. Dubai may see lows of around 16°C, while Abu Dhabi temperatures could drop to 15°C.

Humidity levels will increase at night and into Tuesday morning in some coastal and internal areas, raising the possibility of mist formation.

Winds will be light to moderate, blowing from the northeast to northwest at speeds of 10–25 km/h, occasionally strengthening and causing blowing dust. Sea conditions will be rough in the morning, easing to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and becoming moderate to slight in the Oman Sea.

RTA warn motorists of wet conditions

Meanwhile, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has urged motorists to exercise caution while driving in wet conditions, stressing that simple safety measures can help protect road users during periods of heavy rainfall.

The advisory comes as rain and strong winds are expected to affect parts of the UAE on Monday, according to the National Center of Meteorology (NCM). Hail was reported early in the morning in Al Rams and northern areas of Ras Al Khaimah, with videos circulating on social media showing hail showers at dawn.

Overnight rainfall was also recorded in parts of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, while scattered showers in Al Ain brought cooler temperatures and some relief as unstable weather conditions continued across the country’s northern and eastern regions.

Getting around Al Quoz Creative Zone just became easier, safer, and far more walkable.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the completion of a major package of infrastructure and mobility projects designed to boost connectivity and support the area’s transformation into a global creative hub.

The upgrades are part of a wider master plan aimed at attracting creatives, entrepreneurs, and investors from around the world, while making Al Quoz a lively, year-round destination for culture, learning, and leisure.

What’s been completed?

One of the standout additions is a new pedestrian and cycling bridge on Al Manara Street, designed to improve safety and ensure smooth movement across the area. The bridge spans 45 metres, is 5.5 metres wide, rises 6 metres high, and features two access ramps stretching 210 metres each.

RTA has also delivered:

• Three mobility hubs
• 4km of pedestrian, cycling, and individual mobility routes
• Better connections to the Metro Station and Al Quoz Bus Station

Together, these upgrades support easy, car-free movement through the district.

Streets that turn into cultural spaces

Preparations are also complete for the Super Blocks project, which allows selected streets to be temporarily closed and transformed into pedestrian-only spaces during major events.

One of the first to benefit? The Al Quoz Arts Festival, taking place on January 24 and 25, organised by Alserkal Avenue in partnership with Dubai Culture.

These flexible urban spaces are designed to host art events, festivals, and community activities, helping bring the streets to life while encouraging walking and social interaction.

Designed for people, not just cars

RTA says the projects support Dubai’s 20-Minute City concept, encouraging residents and visitors to reach work, services, and leisure within a compact, well-connected area using sustainable transport.

They also align with:

• Dubai Urban Plan 2040
• Dubai Social Agenda 33
• Year of the Family

The goal? Healthier lifestyles, stronger social connections, and a more pedestrian-friendly city.

A creative district on a whole new scale

Once fully developed, Al Quoz Creative Zone is expected to grow dramatically:

• Creatives: from 900 to 20,000
• Residents: up to 8,000
• Daily visitors: around 33,000
• Studio and workshop spaces: 10x increase
• Leisure and support facilities: 3x expansion

The zone will also deliver 2,900 affordable housing units for creatives, integrated live-work spaces, public plazas, shaded alleys, art routes, murals, and sculptures, all while preserving Al Quoz’s industrial character by repurposing existing warehouses.

With these latest mobility upgrades, Al Quoz Creative Zone is quickly shaping up to be one of the world’s largest and most people-focused creative districts, where art, culture, business, and everyday life intersect.