Taxi drivers: Scrap plan to shut George Square to cars
THE union for Glasgow cabbies has said the pedestrianisation of George Square could lead to more congestion and “over-ranking” in the city centre.
Calum Anderson, who has been a taxi driver for 30 years and is also chairman of Unite’s Glasgow Cab Section, has been urging his members to voice their opinions and engage with the local authority’s consultation, which is taking place until the end of next month.
His action comes after Glasgow City Council announced they are looking at permanently pedestrianising George Square.
The square was closed to traffic for the recent European Championships sports event and the council is now considering whether to make the move permanent.
Calum said: “Closing George Square will make the journeys longer, which will congest the streets even more and add to the pollution.
“During the European Championships, the gridlock at Ingram Street was a nightmare – you just literally couldn’t get around.
“Glasgow is a working city and it requires people coming in. You have shops which are already dying a death – look at our city centre.
“They are actively discouraging motorists from coming into the city centre and driving them to shopping centres outwith. If they shut off George Square, they are taking away the majority of the rank again.
“We have been encouraging our members to take part in the consultation and we are against the proposals as a branch.”
The Evening Times previously reported on city cabbies’ fight for more ranks around Queen Street railway station. The redevelopment of the travel hub resulted in a loss of spaces initially before Glasgow City Council agreed to allow drivers to operate out of North Hanover Street and West George Street.
Glasgow Taxis chairman Stephen Flynn believes it is “paramount” for the main roads around the square to remain open.
He said: “In any plans for traffic in and around George Square, it is paramount the main thoroughfares – West George St leading into George Street heading east, and Cochrane St heading to St Vincent Place heading west – remain open.
“Restricting access to service vehicles only, including taxis, and removing on-street parking in the square would help ease congestion, and allow us to still deliver passengers to the square’s restaurants, cafes, shops and hotels.”
Council leader Susan Aitken previously said the square has become little more than a “glorified roundabout” and something must be done.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “We opened this consultation precisely so the city could have a say – and we’re expecting a wide range of views.
“It is important to bear in mind, though, that there is no detailed proposal at this stage.”
You can leave your views on pedestrianisation of George Square by visiting https:// www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ GS2018/