COP26: Glasgow's Clydeside Expressway and M8 junction to shut this week

Alternative routes for drivers who travel through Glasgow have been issued by Glasgow City Council.

EXPLAINED: Road closures, rail strikes and protests: Key warnings as COP26 looms

Three miles of the Clydeside Expressway will be completley shut for three weeks.  The dual carriageway which stretches from Anderston to Partick usually has thousands of vehicles use it everyday.

Now diversions which could take drivers as far away as Anniesland will spark extreme congestion in the city during the conference. 

Pictures which display an aerial map of Glasgow show that the full city will be 'at risk of congestion', and a 10-mile stretch of the M8 (J13-J26) will be 'significantly busier than usual'.

READ MORE: Union in fresh statement over COP26 strike ahead of 'total rail shutdown'

World leaders from around the globe will descend on the city from October 31 for the climate summit, and with it comes "unique challenges" to the city's travel network which will affect commuters and local residents throughout the two-weeks.

Roads may also be busier than the maps have anticipated as rail services have since announced they will be on strike during the event.

Businesses and commuters have been urged to plan ahead as images showing road closures for Glasgow emerged earlier this month.

Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has previously said that while COP26 provides "incredible opportunity", delays in travel are inevitable.

He said: “The sheer scale of the event is a fantastic accolade for Glasgow however naturally there will be disruption across the city over the course of the conference, and so it is vitally important to engage with the business community to manage the impact on the day-to-day running of the city.”

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 ad 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 r-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. 

Although the amount of closures laid out together may possibly cause severe travel disruptions, diversion routes are being put in place to help keep traffic moving.

 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:

Sunday October 31

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.