Gridlock fears over bid to expand Warriors ground
RESIDENTS fear traffic gridlock if plans to permanently expand capacity at Scotstoun Stadium go ahead.
Temporary stands have upped spectator numbers to 7350 at the home of Glasgow Warriors.
Now Glasgow Life, which runs the stadium, has submitted a planning application to make the temporary stands a full time fixture.
But locals say the residential area cannot cope with the increased amount of traffic brought by games.
Scotstoun Community Council said fans park across driveways, double park and clog up streets. They also claim taxis and minibuses park illegally – including on top of a mini roundabout – and dangerously.
June Mitchell, chairwoman of the community council, said: “We understood spectators would be under 5000 but in the last couple of years they have had temporary grandstands to allow them to take up to 7350 fans.
“In the last couple of years since spectator numbers are rising, footfall has increased and so now we have on a Friday evening really quite serious traffic management and road safety issues when people are coming out on to Danes Drive.”
The community council has had meetings with residents, Glasgow Life, Glasgow Warriors and Glasgow City Council.
They say Glasgow Warriors has been sympathetic and the club launched campaign, Always A Warrior, to urge fans to travel on public transport.
The planning application is for three additional permanent spectator stands and is open for public comment until Friday April 21.
Glasgow Life said it has secured an agreement with ScotRail to include more Scotstounhill stops.
It has introduced more stewards and a nearby car park on match days for Glasgow Club members.
It said there are steps being taken to form an additional entrance to the northwest of the stadium to alleviate congestion on Danes Drive.
A spokeswoman for Glasgow Life said: “We will continue to consult with and listen to concerns raised by Scotstoun residents and community councils throughout the planning process and thereafter.”
Ms Mitchell added: “What we are doing is we are saying to people that this is our opportunity to have some of these problems resolved and highlight some of the difficulties.
“We are not being vexatious in raising these issues.
“We welcome the facilities in the area, we are pleased at the success of Glasgow Warriors and we welcome the fans coming in to the area but the area cannot cope with such a large amount of traffic.
“Ultimately, the costs outweigh the benefits.”