THOUSANDS of drivers and commuters are being warned to rethink travel plans ahead of a cycling event which will bring major roads to a standstill.

The Glasgow 2018 European Championships cycling trial for both men and women will be taking over a number of roads in the local authorities in the middle of the week.

Council bosses have advised workers to make alternative travel arrangements, including cycling or working from home, to minimise disruption.

READ MORE: All the Glasgow road closures in place for the 2018 European Championships

The event on Wednesday August 8 will start at the Riverside Museum before travelling into Maryhill, Bearsden, Milngavie, Strathblane, Lennoxtown, Torrance, Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs and Springburn then returning to the city centre.

In preparation for the race, streets included in the route will be subject to parking restrictions from Monday August 6 until midnight on Wednesday.

Council services including cleansing, waste and recycling are expected to be delayed across the week.

Business owners have been told reconsider their parking or access arrangements as the race could impact deliveries, waste collection and evacuation plans.

As race-related vehicles and cyclists will be travelling at speed throughout the day, pedestrians who need to cross the course must do so at designated crossing points.

Most roads in Glasgow will close from 2am on 8 August until 10pm on 8 August. 

A council spokeswoman said:“The cycling races will draw some of the finest European cyclists to Glasgow for three days of highly anticipated, international-standard racing.

READ MORE: All the Glasgow road closures in place for the 2018 European Championships

“Delivering these large scale events will inevitably impact the areas along the course on race days and there will be disruption to travel. Whilst we hope to minimise these impacts, road closures are required to ensure the safety of the competitors, residents and spectators. We are asking people to plan ahead and consider their travel options for these key dates. The recommendations are to use public transport or active travel as your best option to get to where you need to be, and for those who can work from home to do so.

“The most up to date and reliable information can be found at www.getreadyglasgow.com and by following the Glasgow 2018 Transport Twitter feed @GetReadyGlasgow.”

Organisers are expecting some of the best riders from across the continent to take part in the race and are encouraging residents to join in on the free event.

The television audience for the games is estimated at up to 1.03 billion across Europe, putting Glasgow in the spotlight.

Joint Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, Councillor Andrew Polson, said, “Hosting the Cycling Time Trials for these inaugural European Championships is a fantastic opportunity for East Dunbartonshire and provides a great chance for local people to get involved in and support an elite sporting event.

READ MORE: All the Glasgow road closures in place for the 2018 European Championships

“It will inevitably bring disruption to roads which will impact on travel, business and some council services. For some time now, we have been working very closely with Glasgow 2018 and other partners to prepare for the day of the time trial.”

“We have run two sets of information events at venues across the area for local people to help them understand how road closures and parking restrictions will affect them and what their options are.

“Council officers are making specific arrangements as required across a range of Council services which will be communicated to service users.

“We would remind people again of the need to plan ahead for that day using the detailed information on getreadyglasgow.com. We hope that by preparing for the event, the impact on local people will be minimised and they will be able to enjoy the spectacle.”

A Glasgow 2018 spokesperson said: “One of the busiest and most exciting days of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships will be Wednesday 8 August, when Europe’s elite cyclists undertake the Cycling Time Trial events. To enable this elite sporting event to take place, road closures will be in place around Glasgow and the surrounding areas of East Dunbartonshire and Stirling.

“The ‘Get Ready Glasgow’ campaign has been running since February 2018 aimed at providing up to date information for those working and travelling in and around Glasgow. The campaign included more than 30 engagement events, a wide reaching marketing and social media advertising campaign and 80,000 letters. to businesses and residents encouraging the public to plan ahead and rethink their travel during the European Championships.”