People in Glasgow are being warned transport in the city faces “unique challenges” before and during the COP26 environmental conference in November.

Transport Scotland has issued a travel plan warning of road closures for ease of movement of delegates, and disruption due to protests. It says the “scale of the event is unprecedented in terms of scale and impact on the transport network”.

Up to 25,000 people will attend the event, with around 12,000 on the site beside the Clyde on any given day.

“Delivering the transport planning requires cognisance of the needs of a range of client groups including World Leaders, VIPs, UNFCCC-registered attendees, UN staff, media, activists, volunteers and operational support,” the plan reads. {The nature of the event and the likely activists it will attract indicate that transport disruption is highly likely. Our response will be to Keep Scotland Moving where possible and have a planned response to recover swiftly from adverse events.”

There are warnings of closures and delays on the M74 and M8, the closure of roads near the conference site, namely the Clydeside Expressway, Clyde Arc and Finnieston Street plus, for security reasons, some cycleways.

People in the city are urged to avoid the SEC, where the conference takes place, that the M8 in and around Glasgow will be extremely busy so to expect delays, “be active and environmentally friendly” and “stay informed.”

Read the plan here.

(Picture – Yay Images)