51 days to go until COP26 arrives in Glasgow - Commuters and businesses urged to plan ahead

The “unprecedented” opportunities and challenges of hosting COP26 were discussed with business leaders in Glasgow today.

Planning for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)COP26 conference at the SEC, Glasgow, from October 31st-12th November is at an advanced stage.

As previously announced, the Clydeside Expressway (from Partick Interchange to Anderston at M8 Junction 19), the Clyde Arc and local roads around the SEC venue will be closed in preparation for and during the event.

The main closures take effect from October 23rd-November 15th. However, Clyde Arc will still be open for service buses. More detailed information on alternative routes, local road closure dates and where local access will be maintained is available at getreadyglasgow.com

An event Transport Plan has been published today: https://www.transport.gov.scot/COP26

alongside new maps with the intention of giving the public, businesses, delegates and visitors a clearer idea of what to expect on certain days while the conference is running. Road closures for security purposes are expected to mean longer journey times, with businesses asked to carefully consider how their staff will travel to and from work on the busiest days.

The scale of the event is unprecedented in Scotland in terms of the number of world leaders expected to attend and is on a par with the London Olympics in terms of impact. An element of planned and unplanned protest is inevitable. However, Glasgow and Scotland are also gearing up for the unique opportunity to showcase its credentials as a major event host.

At a virtual event attended by over 400 business leaders and transport partners today, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, the Cabinet Office, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce provided an update on their planning and answered questions.