GLASGOW is preparing to host the cycling world championships, which will see roads across the city shut down to allow for the races to take place.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) world event will be held in Scotland’s biggest city and in other places across the country from August 3-13.
However, residents and visitors have been warned to expect disruption both before and during the championships in the form of parking restrictions and road closures.
Here is how the UCI Cycling World Championships, billed as the “biggest cycling event ever”, will affect Glasgow’s roads.
What road closures will there be in Glasgow for the cycling championships?
In Glasgow, road closures will come into effect from 00:01 on Friday August 4 until 23:59 on Tuesday, August 8.
Closures will then come into effect once more from 00:01 on Saturday August 12 until 23:59 on Sunday August 13.
The closures will affect roads in the West End, centre, north, and east of Glasgow. Some roads will be completely closed, while others will see local access allowed.
You can see further details of the road closures on Get Ready Glasgow.
The published race dates, sent to residents in a letter, are as follows:
- Friday 4 August - Athlete Course Familiarisation
- Saturday 5 August - Women Junior Road Race / Men Junior Road Race
- Sunday 6 August - Men Elite Road Race
- Tuesday 8 August - Team Time Trial Mixed Relay / Under 23 Men Road Race
- Saturday 12 August - Men Under-23 Road Race
- Sunday 13 August - Women Under-23 Road Race / Women Elite Road Race
The letter adds: "During these races, all riders will enter the city from the west end and complete multiple laps of a 14.4km city centre circuit before an exciting finish in George Square."
An official fan zone will also be set up in George Square.
What parking restrictions will be in place in Glasgow during the cycling championships?
Though the UCI Cycling World Championships don’t start until August 3, people have been warned to expect parking restrictions from Monday, July 31.
These restrictions will come into force along the road race route, with work building the courses and deploying barriers from Tuesday, August 1.
The majority of the restrictions will stay in place until the championships close on August 13.
Get Ready Glasgow said: “Parking restrictions and road closures will be in place to allow athletes to familiarise themselves with the route, to race safely across the city, and for the safety and enjoyment of the tens of thousands of people who are expected to line the route in support of the riders.”
Doubt has been cast over enforcement of parking measures after wardens voted to strike during the championships.
What are the rules on the Low Emission Zone in Glasgow?
Visitors to Glasgow have been warned to be aware of the low emission zone (LEZ) which came into effect in the city centre from June 1.
Vehicles which enter the zone will face a penalty charge if they are not compliant with the LEZ regulations, which number plate recognition cameras are used to enforce.
The LEZ covers the area of the city centre bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and Saltmarket and the High Street to the east but does not include the motorway itself.
A vehicle can only drive within an LEZ if it meets the specified emission standards, which are Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans, Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans, and Euro VI for buses, coaches and HGVs.
There is a registration checking tool, which confirms if a vehicle is LEZ compliant, here.
What about accessing the city for businesses?
An “Access and Egress Plan” has been made for businesses to supply during the championships.
This plan says: “Access and egress locations and associated routes across the city will be operational overnight between 20:00 to 06:00 on August 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12.
“Access and egress on August 8 and 13 will be permitted following the re-opening of the entire road circuit after 23:59 on those dates.”
It adds: “Business as usual servicing will be achievable between Wednesday 9 and Friday 11 August.”
