Anger at disruption and damage caused by TRNSMT festival

0 Part of the site on Glasgow Green a week after the three-day festival ended Residents are angered at plans for a music festival to return to Glasgow Green because of the mess, damage and disruption they claim the event caused.

Locals said the historic east end park was yesterday still a “construction site” – more than a week after the threeday TRNSMT festival.

They said large areas of the park had been closed for nearly three weeks, and widespread damage had included to a wildlife area.

They fear the festival, which attracted some 120,000 music fans, will be more popular next year and cause even greater problems.

The non-camping event was staged by DF Concerts after T in the Park in Perthshire was scrapped.

Heavy rain hit the last day of the 7-9 July festival, which was headlined by Radiohead, Kasabian and Biffy Clyro.

One resident, Mairi Carrey, said: “All last week, rotting food and festival beer cups remained. The smell coming from the ground was terrible, and still is.

“When the park re-opened a week after TRNSMT, huge areas were reduced to mud.

“Grass and areas set aside for wildlife conservation were destroyed, bins left overflowing with festival waste, and filthy paths covered in rubbish and toilet tissue.

“I do not think that scale of event is suitable for a park in a residential area.”

Conservative city councillor Robert Connelly, who represents the local Calton area, said: “It is inevitable that after any big festival a fair amount of tidying up will need to take place, but this is unacceptable.

“Residents are well within their rights to be frustrated at the condition of Glasgow Green.

“It is hugely important both TRNSMT organisers and Glasgow City Council should work better with local communities surrounding Glasgow Green if the festival takes place in Glasgow Green in future.”

Ann Sharp, of the Friends of Glasgow Green, said: “I’m very angry that parts of the Green were closed. The festival is going to be far more popular next year and there will be trouble. We don’t want it.”

A city council spokesman said: “Any event, from music festivals to sport, inevitably has some impact on ground conditions. That is factored into both our preparations and also the post-event cleanup operation.

“Clearly, when it comes to fresh grass growth, that takes a little time – but we are confident the Green will be back at its best very soon.

“We are aware of the issue at the area for wildlife, which happened in error and will be reinstated.”