THE Clydeside Expressway is among the roads set to be closed amid a period of "extreme disruption" while a climate change conference takes place in the city. 

Glasgow's Clyde Arc - aka Squinty Bridge - Congress Road, and Minerva Street will also be shut to motorists as thousands of delegates arrive for crunch talks at the United Nations' COP26. 

Areas in and around the Scottish Exhibition Centre (SEC) - which will fall under the jurisdiction of the UN - will face disruption before, during, and after the October 31 to November 12 event. World leaders, including Pope Francis, US President Joe Biden, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, are expected to arrive from November 1 onwards. 

Glasgow Times: Pope Francis is likely to attend the event Pope Francis is likely to attend the event

Pedestrian and cycle routes will also be affected with campaigners saying the closures go against the ethos of the conference.

The city’s motorway network, already the busiest in the country, is expected to be “significantly busier than usual” with the M8, M77 and M74 all at risk of major congestion. The Clydeside Expressway, which normally sees around 100,000 vehicles each day, will be closed between Partick and Anderston for 23 days, between October 23 and November 15.

Glasgow Times: Maps outline which cycle routes will also be affected Maps outline which cycle routes will also be affected

A council spokesperson said: "COP26 will be unlike other major events Glasgow has hosted, bringing its own unique challenges for our travel network.

“Due to the scale and complexity of the event, which involves the likes of world leaders and climate activists, we will experience changes to the movement of traffic around the city.

Glasgow Times:

“Businesses and residents directly affected by planned disruption will receive specific, direct communications forewarning them of the likely impact during specified periods and business engagement sessions will be publicised and held closer to the event.”

Full list of closures and restrictions 

  • Congress Road, closed from 6am, October 10, until 6am, November 17.
  • Congress Way, Finnieston Quay, Tunnel Street, Stobcross Road (section parallel to A814) and Castlebank Street, subject to lane restrictions and closures between October 17 and 23, with full closure from 9pm on October 24 until 6am on November 21.
  • Clyde Arc (Squinty Bridge) and Lancefield Quay, closed from 9pm on October 23 until 6am on November 15. The roads will be open to service buses only.
  • Finnieston Street, from Houldsworth Street to Lancefield Quay, closed from 9pm on October 24 until 6am on November 15. Local Access southbound will be maintained until October 28.

READ MORE: COP26: Pope Francis speaks about visiting Glasgow for first time

  • Clydeside Expressway, from Partick Interchange to Anderston (Junction 19), closed from 9pm on October 23, until 6am on November 15.
  • Minerva Street and West Greenhill Place, closed from 6am on October 28, until 6am on November 13, with local access to private carparks maintained.