Petition launched to keep benches in Glasgow Green ahead of TRNSMT

John Crossan, who lives in the Gorbals, is asking Glasgow City Council to reconsider removing the benches, particularly on the main path which lies adjacent to the River Clyde.

A spokesperson for the council said the benches and bins are removed ahead of the festival each year to prevent them from being damaged. 

READ MORE: Fury after benches and bins removed from Glasgow Green weeks ahead of TRNSMT

However, John says the benches on the walkway are not within the festival grounds, and they do not get put back in place for months, "depriving" park users of a place to sit. 

He claims last year the benches were not put back in place until October, meaning they were removed for a total of five months. 

The 57-year-old said: "Every year that TRSNMT's happened they've always taken the benches away and it's depriving people of the chance to sit down when they're out in the park. 

"It [the park] was bequeathed to the people of Glasgow and I know TRSNMT is only on over a weekend, but they take the benches away weeks before the actual festival and last year they never put them back until October.  

"So for the whole of the summer basically they're gone.

"It's ridiculous.

"I think it's shocking they do that and they think that's acceptable, there's no consideration for other people that use that park."

John, who suffers from asthma, uses the park often as it is his nearest open space and like many other residents in the area he doesn't have a garden.  

He explained: "When my dad [82] stays with us we'll go for a walk in the park, he can't sit down, he can't take a wee rest. 

"It's the height of the summer and we can't use the benches. 

"There doesn't seem to be any sense in it.

"People use the park, you get mothers with prams, people that cycle, I like a wee break when I'm out for a walk in the park and have my lunch and look at the water but you're not getting a chance to do that. 

"They take all the bins away as well so there's nowhere to dispose of rubbish when you're out walking."

He added: "I've got asthma so if I'm out walking I need somewhere to sit and rest, especially when it's hot days.

"They need to look at the whole picture, they can't just say 'there's this TRNSMT Festival we need to remove all the benches'."

John has now started a petition calling for the benches to be left in the park. 

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A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "The festival organisers are not on site until late June and bins and benches around the festival site will remain in place until then.

"We remove bins and benches as they end up inside the festival site and so are removed to prevent them from being damaged.

"Some of the benches are memorial benches and wish to prevent any damage that could cause upset to families.

"Those families with benches in the park are advised that benches can be potentially removed depending on what event is using a particular area of Glasgow Green.

"We always work closely with event organisers and local communities to ensure events are managed appropriately."

You can view John's petition HERE.