With COP26 just days away, Glasgow has been getting ready to welcome thousands of visitors to the city
Further measures aimed at helping people get ready for COP26 in Glasgow and keeping transport networks moving have been announced with the launch of a public awareness campaign. The campaign is being ‘championed’ by Glasgow’s Duke of Wellington statue and will feature across multi-channels from radio, TV and social media to billboards, newsletters and other relevant platforms.
Transport Minister, Graeme Dey kick-started the campaign which provides details of where to get the most up-to-date travel information and advice so that people can prepare and plan ahead for any journeys in the run up to and during the two-week climate change conference.
He said: “As a huge coup for Glasgow and, indeed, Scotland, COP26 is widely anticipated to be a once-in-a-lifetime global event and one like no other the city has hosted. The scale of the event is unprecedented on so many levels which is why it is vital that people are equipped with the latest information to help organise travel plans in advance and, where necessary, make alternative arrangements.
“The most up-to-date information including a detailed travel plan, maps, road closures and dates for community and business engagement sessions is readily available. I would again urge commuters, businesses and the public to take some time to familiarise themselves with the plans so that we can all work together to help deliver a successful event while keeping Glasgow and the Central Belt moving. I am especially grateful to businesses and the public for engaging with this campaign and playing their part in such a momentous event.”
Up to 140 world leaders and 25,000 conference delegates are expected to attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26 conference at Glasgow’s SEC from October 31 to November 12. However, road closures will start to take effect from Saturday, October 23, and Transport Scotland said that planned and unplanned protests are also inevitable.
A new getreadyglasgow.com website will provide details on alternative routes, local road closure dates and includes maps highlighting where and when impacts are most likely to help give the public, businesses, delegates and visitors a clearer idea of what to expect on certain days.
The Transport Minister was joined by representatives of the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and First Bus, which is providing a fleet of electric buses for conference delegates. SPT Chair of Operations Committee Councillor, David Wilson, said: “SPT is, once again, proud to play its part assisting with the transport organisation across Glasgow while the city hosts yet another major international event. While some disruption to travel is inevitable with an event of this scale, planning ahead is essential. We are working to ensure both local people and our international visitors can move around the city. Working with First Bus Scotland to deliver the official COP26 zero-emission shuttle service on behalf of the UK and Scottish Governments ensures delegates will get to the event by sustainable public transport and we hope deliver a Glasgow climate agreement we can all be proud of.”
Duncan Cameron, Interim Managing Director for First Bus Scotland, said: “First Bus Scotland is delighted to have been chosen to operate the official COP26 shuttle service and will be working closely with SPT, Transport Scotland and the Cabinet Office to ensure a smooth and efficient service can be delivered for all delegates attending the event. It has been a long time in the planning, and it is exciting to now be in the build up to the event officially. It is vitally important that everyone takes the time to familiarise themselves with all diversions and transport plans in order to keep Glasgow moving and deliver an event that the whole world will be proud to be a part of.”
