Resident fears road works could affect emergency services access

A WEST END resident says he fears road works on Byres Road are affecting emergency services responding to incidents after a bus got stuck earlier this week.  

On the afternoon of Monday, June 17, emergency services were called to a medical incident at a premises around 103 Byres Road.

The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, says at least two ambulances and three police cars were in attendance with part of the street outside the building taped off.

As a result, the resident says a bus got stuck for around 20 minutes.

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He explained: "Church Street has been blocked off completely so no vehicles can go up or down, the bottom of Byres Road has been made one way, the traffic was still coming up the way, the entrance to White Street was being blocked by traffic and traffic was still allowed to come down Byres Road.

"Eventually a policeman stopped traffic and let the traffic come down the way."

He continued: "White Street is a narrow road, it goes one way.

"They sent a doubledecker Stagecoach bus through White Street and as it was following directions it got stuck causing tailbacks.

"I had to guide a few vehicles through behind the bus so they could get moving.

"People were coming to White Street expecting to go where the bus was blocking but couldn’t

"Eventually the bus was freed and obviously had to go through the no entry sign to get to Hyndland Street."

(Image: Newsquest)

The resident says due to traffic building up on the road he believes the ambulance would "definitely" have had trouble getting out.

He said: "The police and the ambulance had to have their vehicles parked on the cycle lane but the traffic was still trying to get past them so that created a roadblock for the police and ambulance as well.

"You had big lorries sitting on the street trying to get up Byres Road, the driver was shaking his head because he couldn't move.

"He sat there for a good 20 minutes because he couldn't get moving up the way."

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The resident says he now fears someone could "die" if emergency services are unable to reach them in time due to traffic or transport them to hospital.

He said: "If there was a fire engine trying to get down on Monday there was no chance they will get down there and if someone was trapped in a fire that person would have probably been dead.

"It’s really badly thought out."

He continued: "I know a fire truck would get stuck and I know if there's a major fire here someone is going to die because of it.

"I just think it’s disgusting the way this has been planned.

"It’s a danger to everyone."

However, a spokesperson for Glasgow City Council confirmed the closure of Church Street is only in place until Sunday at the latest and the work on the bottom half of Byres Road is drawing to a close.

They also said the contractor is aware emergency services are to be allowed through the work site when safe.

The resident is now calling for Kelvin Way to be opened to traffic to ease congestion on Byres Road until all road works are completed.

He added: "They should open Kelvin Way Road while this is going on, let the traffic through there just now until this road is fixed

"Byres Road has been a nightmare for the past two years."

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "These are temporary measures as the public realm work on the bottom half of Byres Road draws to a close.

"So with regards to the current works on Church Street, please note that the carriageway resurfacing works require a full closure as there is not enough road width to safely allow for a running lane alongside a section of carriageway being resurfaced.

"The closure on Church Street is in place until Sunday, however the contractor is aiming to have the road reopened by 5pm on Friday, ahead of the weekend.

"The issue with some buses accidentally travelling down to White Street instead of the correct diversion route via Highburgh Road, Hyndland Street and on to Dumbarton Road was down to the contractor not properly signing one part of the diversion – and this was remedied on Monday.

"What should also be noted is that as well as advanced notification to the emergency services, the bus groups were also alerted to these works well ahead of time.

"All operators knew about the closure and were aware of the planned diversion route to get on to Dumbarton Road.

"The contractor is aware that emergency vehicles are to be allowed (safely) through a live site if practical, regardless of the consequences to the construction work done.

"In this case - as this is just road resurfacing - the emergency services would always be accommodated through the site in the event of an emergency."