Early warning has been given about road closures and disruption around Glasgow’s world climate conference later this year.
A campaign has kicked off to prepare businesses and residents for the biggest ever gathering of delegates and leaders in Scotland.
As part of the information process, businesses are being invited to sign up for a virtual event where they can find out more about the work being done to prepare the city ahead of COP26.
Get Ready Glasgow is the campaign for all the communication and engagement work being carried out to keep the city moving and open for business.
And early warning is being given now about road closures - although the details of dates and times will be released nearer the time.
The following measures are needed to facilitate the safe delivery of the event and maintain the safety and security of participants, citizens and visitors, according to organisers:
• Closure of the Clydeside Expressway from Partick Interchange to North Street
• Closure of Finnieston Street from Lancefield Quay to West Greenhill Place. With local access maintained
• Closure of Lancefield Quay from Elliot Street to Finnieston Street – except for service buses
• Closure of the Clyde Arc – except for service buses
• Closure of Stobcross Road from Partick Interchange to Finnieston Street
• Minerva Street – Local Access Only between Minerva Way and West Greenhill Place
• West Greenhill Place – Local Access Only
The River Clyde will also be closed to private and commercial vessels ahead of and during COP26.
It is proposed that a safety zone is established from the first tidal weir at Glasgow Green to a position just east of King George V Docks.
This stretch of the river will not be able to host vessels or water-based activities around the summit site.
Meanwhile, active travel routes are still being refined, however, pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained on Finnieston Street, Lancefield Quay and Clyde Arc at all times as will routes for emergency services.
Ros Eales, chief operating officer, COP26 Unit said: “Support from businesses in the city and the people of Glasgow is crucial to making this Conference a success and we thank you, as well as other businesses and communities of Glasgow, for your support so far and look forward to continuing to work with you this year.”
Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The purpose of Get Ready Glasgow is to ensure that business and residents have the information they need to go about their daily lives while COP26 is running.
“Planning teams concentrating on city operations have been established to manage the impact of COP26 on the city; and what impact the events will have on the services that the council provides to businesses and residents in their day-to-day lives.
“If we start to talk about some of the things that may change in the lead up to and during the COP26 now, people, particularly businesses, can begin to think about how they may need to adapt their operations, particularly on the days where the city may be busier than usual, due to the main COP programme or side events.
“COP26 will change the way the city runs for a period of time in November but we will make sure that everyone is well informed and when the time comes people can feel proud at Glasgow having played its part in the success of such a globally significant event.”
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins, Police Scotland, said: “Planning for COP26 has been underway for over a year and we have been working closely with partners including the United Nations, UK Government and Glasgow City Council to prepare for what will be one of the most high profile and significant security and policing events ever held in the United Kingdom.
If we start to talk about some of the things that may change in the lead up to and during the COP26 now, people, particularly businesses, can begin to think about how they may need to adapt their operations, particularly on the days where the city may be busier than usual, due to the main COP programme or side events
Susan Aitken
“COP presents some unique policing challenges but Police Scotland is well prepared for any eventuality.
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “Few events in Glasgow’s history can match the significance of the city’s hosting of COP26.
“It is an opportunity to show just how much our city can contribute both to solving climate change and to laying the foundations for our next phase of economic growth.
“There will be a significant and positive long-term impact of Glasgow being at the centre of the solutions.”
When available, more detailed information and maps will be put on the Get Ready Glasgow website www.getreadyglasgow.com to help prepare for COP26 and plan ahead.
People can register on the site for email updates and newsletters as well as make specific inquiries.
The campaign also includes further engagement sessions in the lead up to COP26 and the development of a business ready guide, due to be published late June.
In addition, a Get Ready Glasgow telephone inquiry line will be operational after the summer to assist those without easy internet access.
