A Glasgow resident has expressed extreme concerns over recent changes to city centre roads.
Cornelius Curran has been a life-time tenant on Stockwell Street, Glasgow, having being born in the property in 1960. He is now incredibly worried that recent road works are a "disaster waiting to happen", as rows of traffic congest the area each day with emergency services reportedly unable to get through.
Cornelius, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, has been disturbed numerous times by current construction work on South City Way.
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The 64-year-old claims that Glasgow City Council did not warn residents of such work and when approached they allegedly said that notification was posted on lampposts, which Cornelius says "is as good as a chocolate teapot".
Discussing recent changes to city centre roads, Cornelius said: "They have turned the city centre into one way traffic coming from four directions - coming from the south side there is one lane of traffic going each way, with the other lanes being for buses only. The outside lanes have now been turned into cycle lanes which cyclists don't even use!"
He is incredibly passionate about Glasgow city, and feels the "traffic congestion in Glasgow City Centre has become an absolute nightmare."
Cornelius feels the recent works and changes are a "disaster waiting to happen", as he claims to have witnessed a blue-lighted ambulance unable to get through the traffic on Stockwell Street. He added: "It is backed up for miles, on average there are around 50 cars at a time waiting for lights changing and I feel there is going to be an absolute disaster here".
Cornelius continued: "Imagine four major roads coming into one, it's all very well that the city want to improve our health and atmosphere due to pollution but these bicycle lanes aren't even being used!
"Everyday I see cyclists using the pavements, in fact I have even seen cars having to use the cycle lanes because there is no where for them to go.
"I really don't know how this is going to progress, if there is a major tragedy how are the emergency services going to get through? They have turned the city into a one way system.
He continued: "I have lived her all my life, and what they have done to these roads is disastrous - businesses are suffering because people don't want to come into the city centre and I don't blame them."
Speaking of the new LEZ restrictions, Cornelius said that the one-way system "defeats the purpose" as rows of cars are sitting for "20 to 30 minutes as they wait in traffic".
A spokesman for the council said: “The works at this junction are crucial to the completion of the South City Way, which will eventually provide safer, segregated cycling route between Queen’s Park and the Merchant City.
“The route has already proved to be hugely popular with the number of cycling journeys along already finished sections of the route rising significantly over the past two years.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused while work is underway and we have done everything possible to minimise any delays during construction work, which is due to finish in April.
“The new road lay-out will ensure safer crossing points for people walking and cycling without affecting the available routes for vehicles.
“The emergency services have been fully consulted on the plans for the South City Way throughout its development and they have raised no issues with us during this period of construction.
“Once complete the South City Way will be key route in our City Network for active travel and will help cycling become an increasingly viable option for everyday journeys around the city.”
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