Glasgow to stop accepting asylum seekers
SHOPPERS and workers returning to the city centre as lockdown is gradually lifted will notice big changes. More measures take effect today in the ongoing project to create more space for walking and cycling in the city centre.
Parking is suspended around George Square and bus gates are being put in place around the south side of the square to stop cars entering from Cochrane Street and South Fredrick Street.
The stretch outside the City Chambers and the opposite end are already closed to all traffic, and with bus gates at Nelson Mandela Place and the one at Gordon Street already reducing car traffic coming into the square from the west, the square will be almost car free.
Other changes are taking place that will transform how people get around the city centre.
The measures will be in place for at least the next 10 weeks to allow more space for people walking to keep a distance and for cycling for people to get around without using public transport, which has a reduced capacity at present.
The council states: “To create a sustainable transport corridor around the south side of George Square, a temporary bus, taxi and cycle gate will be introduced on the south side of George Square and along South Frederick Street (northbound).
“A temporary bus, taxi and cycle lane will also be implemented on Cochrane Street. These will be in operation from 7am to 7pm.”
Other work is under way to create more space for people on pavements.
A number of streets that are usually busy and with shops re-opened and more people returning to work pavements are being widened.
Those to be wider will include the west side on Union Street from the pedestrian crossing at the Central Station side entrance to Argyle Street the junction.
Also the east side of Hope Street, from Renfield Lane up to Bath
GLASGOW City Council will not be accepting any more asylum seekers to ease pressure on services.
A temporary halt on new arrivals has been agreed until those in hotels can be found long-term accommodation.
The Home Office will not disperse any asylum seekers to Glasgow until it is resolved.
The council said that any women or families who make their own way here will be looked after but single men will be moved to other locations in the UK.
A council source said: “Glasgow has not shut its doors. This is a temporary pause to ease pressure on the system.”
Glasgow City Council said: “Glasgow has always welcomed asylum seekers and will continue to do so.
“However, in light of the incident last Friday and the current pressures on the system, we have agreed with the Home Office that, temporarily, no-one will be dispersed to Glasgow.
“For the moment, single males who come to Glasgow under their own steam will also be redirected to other dispersal areas across the
UK. Glasgow will continue to welcome families, women and children who arrive spontaneously and the temporary agreement with the Home Office will be reviewed weekly.
“This will enable us to ensure we have access to the Mears’ exit strategy for asylum seekers who are currently accommodated in hotels and ensure that appropriate plans are in place.
“This decision has not been taken lightly. It is a responsible and temporary move designed to ease some of the pressures in the city at the moment and to assist Mears to source suitable accommodation for the asylum seekers currently in hotels.”
The pause comes as the council seeks to ensure government contractor Mears Group finds “suitable” new homes for the almost 400 people currently housed in local hotels.
They include those affected by the knife attack at the Park Inn hotel, in which six people were injured and Sudanese asylum seeker Badreddin Abdalla Adam, 28, was shot dead by police.