Shields Road closure: Commuters and local businesses react to …
The closure of one of Glasgow’s busiest commuter routes for at least a year has left motorists and businesses frustrated.
Shields Road, which for many is a main route between the southside and central Glasgow, is closed between St Andrews Drive and Scotland Street to allow a £12.6m project to demolish and rebuild the railway bridge to take place.
Currently pedestrians and cyclists can still travel over the bridge, with a temporary structure due to be erected as works get under way.
The road closed on Monday August 28 and will remain so until August 2024.
It’s left commuters facing a lengthy detour – either across Albert Drive and up the Eglington Toll or along Nithsdale Road, up Dumbreck Road and into Ibrox.
“It seems pretty packed,” one commuter told STV News on Wednesday. “It’s busy round here, but you’d never normally be this delayed.
“It does seem pretty mad – here and Nithsdale Road are completely backed up.”
Commuters forced to take lengthy detours due to Shields Road closure
Another added: “It’s causing a lot of delays. We’re going to be late getting the kids to school.
“We’ve been here for 30 minutes already, this is the only way we can go, it’s a nightmare.”
“It’s a joke,” another commuter said.
There are also fears about the impact the closure could have on local businesses.
The owners of the Khyber Pass restaurant just took over the site around two months ago. Since then, the pavement outside has been dug up to lay fibre optic cables.
Now passing trade has almost vanished with the road closure.
“I think to be honest, if it continues like this, I will have to reduce my staff,” admitted owner Najibuddin Sidiqi.
“The impact is huge, this was a main road for the local community and as you can see there is nobody here since yesterday when it closed.
“The impact on local businesses is big because we had people coming in from far away and passing customers – now with the diversion they won’t come here.
“We usually have a very busy lunch service, but as you can see, the restaurant is empty – and its going to be like this for a year, that is a very very long time,” he said.
Laura Craig, scheme project manager at Network Rail said: “We’re very grateful to those living near and those who use Shields Road for their feedback so far on the impact of this road closure.
“There is never an ideal time to close such a significant part of the road network and we also understand the impact that this will have on those living on the proposed diversion route.
“We’ll deliver this project, along with our contractors and with Glasgow City Council, with the minimum possible inconvenience for nearby residents and those who use Shields Road.
“Traffic diversions will be in place from August 28 and we will work closely with the council to observe and monitor use of the diversionary routes to ensure there is no adverse impact on the community.”