Cop26: Anger as Glaswegians are urged to stay at home as the world arrives in their city

Business leaders voiced anger yesterday after official advice urged people to stay away from Scotland’s biggest city during Cop26.

Drivers have been warned of severe congestion as the summit begins with the latest transport guidance predicting disruption. Route closures around the conference site are expected to coincide with heavy traffic and large numbers of protesters.

Nicola Blaney, Transport Scotland’s head of events resilience, said demand on the network was expected to be unprecedented over the next two weeks, adding: “We urge people to consider their travel plans very carefully.

“We’ve been encouraging people to work from home as a way of reducing the risk of Covid and this would also help ease pressure on the transport network during the conference’s peak.”

However, Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said recommending Glaswegians to stay at home while thousands of delegates arrive in their city was the wrong message.

He said: “City businesses depend on the footfall of people returning to work, especially as we come out of Covid, and most are working hard to recover from the economic downturn that has caused.

“Footfall in Glasgow after lockdown is among the lowest of all UK cities. One in ten employers in the city have returned to their offices.

“Local hospitality is worried that advice not to go into the city will reduce their regular customers and we hope that the delegates will use our wonderful hospitality instead.”

Meanwhile, restaurant owners in the city say they are waiting to see if the Cop arrivals will mean busy bookings while others reveal staff have left to work at the summit.

Michele Arrighi, owner of Italian restaurant chain Sarti, says he has lost three chefs this week who have gone to work for higher wages at Cop26 events.

He said: “I have spoken to other restaurant owners who tell me that they have also lost chefs who have moved on for a bigger hourly rate on these short-term jobs. Chefs are among skilled workers in short supply now and big wages, albeit for the short term, is drawing staff away from regular jobs.

“We are all uncertain how busy we will be. Some regular customers are not booking for their usual dinners because they do not know if road closures will make journeys into town too difficult.”

© Andrew Cawley

It was also reported that pubs could face problems with Glasgow bars running low on gas for their pumps, and suppliers avoiding the host city amid disruption the summit has brought.

Paul Waterson, of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: “Some premises are very concerned they are not going to get deliveries. We have world-class hospitality and the world is coming. We want to showcase our talents. If pubs don’t have CO2 then they won’t be able to do that.”

© PA

Road closures are already in place, with the Clydeside Expressway fully shut until November 14. The M8 motorway will be subject to lane restrictions and sliproad closures until November 15 and further localised closures are in place.

Glasgow City Council said severe congestion is expected tomorrow, with Dumbarton Road and Argyle Street closed to traffic between Byres Road and St Vincent Street until the following day. The route is a key alternative drivers have been using because of the Expressway closure.

The council has sent 9,000 letters to homes in the area detailing restrictions.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “Cop26 is undoubtedly going to cause traffic disruption to local residents and businesses in Glasgow, but while road closures and diversions will make journeys longer it’s the price we must pay for our cities to hold these prestigious and important events.”

ScotRail will run services later into the night, including some after midnight, and lengthened trains, to allow more locals and conference delegates to use rail travel. Net zero carbon electric trains will leave Glasgow later than normal each night of the summit to Edinburgh, Ayr, Stirling, Dunblane, Partick, Dalmuir, and Hamilton.

Meanwhile, residents in Edinburgh are also being warned to prepare for disruption. It’s estimated around a fifth of the 25,000 conference delegates and more than 50 world leaders will stay in the capital.

Further restrictions are expected in Edinburgh today with Extinction Rebellion’s march to the Scottish Parliament, while next Sunday sees a sell-out Scottish rugby international at Murrayfield.