Fears new £6 million Glasgow Avenue project roadworks will create traffic chaos

A councillor has raised concerns about potential traffic chaos as £6.5 million road works are due to start at Cowcaddens and Dobbie's Loan under the Avenues programme.

Councillor Sharon Greer said traffic has been "diabolical" in Cambridge Street during an Avenues makeover and "unbelievable" at Charring Cross as she highlighted the work taking place on the M8.

Construction work is due to start at Cowcaddens and Dobbie's Loan in February with cycle lanes, extended footways and new kerbing among changes to take place.

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Asking about closures during the work, Councillor Sharon Greer, Labour said: "In using that area all the time, you are doing the bridge at the M8, Cambridge Street is diabolical to be honest, you are going to close certain lanes of Cowcaddens and Dobbie's Loan and you have all that traffic trying to get into Charing Cross to the businesses and the city centre."

A council official replied that a meeting will take place with the contractor before work starts at Cowcaddens and Dobbie's Loan and only partial lane closures would take place.

He added: "Cambridge Street is now fully open as of this week - that removes that pinchpoint.

"We are in dialogue with Transport Scotland who are managing the works at the roundabout at Stow College for the flyover at the M8."

Speaking at yesterday's contracts and property committee, the official continued: "Once the contract is awarded in the new year we will sit down with the contractor and work out the best phasing that minimises disruption to the network."

Stressing how important the phasing of work is managed, Councillor Greer added: "With businesses coming out at 5pm at Charring Cross - the traffic is unbelievable."

She mentioned the levels of air pollution should be looked at in the area.
During the committee councillors signed off awarding the contract for construction work at Cowcaddens Road and Dobbie's Loan to Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd.

The work is funded externally by Sustrans.

A council paper said: "The construction work will include extension and resurfacing of footways, new kerbing, resurfacing of carriageway, road marking, creation of new cycleways, new green / blue infrastructure, and various other public realm improvements."

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