THE final road closure for the COP26 climate summit has been put in place today with Glasgow drivers continuing to adjust to the chaotic diversions.
After major Glasgow travel routes like the Clyde expressway and M8 junction 19 shut for three weeks from Saturday, the last closure took place in the west end of the city from 6am this morning.
Minerva Street - West Greenhill Place which is located right next to the Exhibition centre train station is now the final disruption caused by COP26.
However, with the conference yet to start traffic chaos will become more intense in the following weeks.
Alternative routes for drivers who travel through Glasgow have been issued by Glasgow City Council.
Following innitial aerial views of the city demonstrating the closures, more detailed maps have been released to illustrate the travel resitrictions.
The expressway (A814) section which is parallel to the OVO Hydro will be shut for three weeks alongside junction 19 of the M8.
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The junction is being specifically used to escort world leaders and delegates travelling through from Edinburgh and outside Glasgow.
Diversions, which could take drivers as far away as Anniesland, will spark extreme congestion in the city during the conference.
The aerial map of Glasgow shows the full city will be 'at risk of congestion', and a ten-mile stretch of the M8 (J13-J26) will be 'significantly busier than usual'.
Here are the road closures:
- Congress Road - Closed October 10 to November 17: As expected the first road to close will be the one directly outside the SECC and Hydro, where the majority of talks will take place, and it will re-open at 6am on November 17.
- Congress Way: Partial closures with lane restrictions will begin on October 17 and the full road closure will begin from 9pm on Sunday October 24. It will re-open November 21 in the morning.
- Clydeside Expressway – Partick Interchange to Anderston (Junction 19): The major dual carriageway will cause disruption to commuters as the road is set to be closed from October 23, but it re-opens earlier than others on November 15.
- Clyde Arc and Lancefield Quay: Road closed from October 23 to November 15
- Minerva Street – West Greenhill Place: Road Closed from October 28 to November 13.
Local Area Traffic Management Plans (LATMPs) have issued day-to-day maps detailing road closures and areas with high risk of congestion.
Transport Minister Graeme Day said: “Many months of travel planning, and preparations are now entering their final, crucial phase.
“This event will be unprecedented for so many reasons and will bring its own unique challenges for Glasgow and beyond.
“I would urge commuters, business and the public to take some time to read the transport plan and familiarise themselves with the road closures and latest travel advice. We can all play a key role in delivering a successful event and ensuring the talks deliver results to help secure a better future for our planet.”
Full details of the closures can be found HERE.
Here are the day-to-day images detailing city traffic:
From Saturday 23rd October
From Sunday October 31
From Monday November 1
Tuesday November 2
Wednesday November 3 - Friday November 5
Saturday November 6
Sunday November 7 - Saturday November 13
Walking and Cycling closures have been given diversions as seen below:
Full details of the closures can be found HERE.
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