A MAN has hit out at Glasgow City Council after benches were removed from Glasgow Green ahead of TRNSMT for the second year in a row.

We previously reported John Crossan asked the council to reconsider removing the benches and bins, 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 NEXT: Petition launched to keep benches in Glasgow Green ahead of TRNSMT

Glasgow Times:

However, John, 56, says the benches on the walkway are not within the festival grounds, and claims they do not get put back in place for months, "depriving" park users of a place to sit. 

John, who lives in the Gorbals, also started a petition earlier this year calling for the benches to be kept in place which gained more than 120 signatures. 

Despite this, the benches were removed from the walkway last week ahead of the festival which takes place from Friday, July 7, to Sunday, July 9.

Glasgow Times:

John has criticised the decision, calling the planning of the event "inept". 

He said: "They've just removed them, they've taken them all away again. 

"No one's got the opportunity to have a seat if they're walking through that Clyde walkway, even though I submitted my petition and 123 people supported it.

"That walkway is only closed for the duration of TRNSMT. 

"The organisation of it has been dismal. It seems the council are inept at organisation and responding to the needs of people who use the park all year round."

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

Glasgow Times:

He added: "There's a grassy area adjacent to the Clyde across from where the benches sit and I don't see why they couldn't have put some benches there."

John had previously been in contact with the council and had been told they were in consultation to reduce the number of benches removed, but says he is disappointed to see they have all been removed from the walkway. 

He said: "I'm upset and left feeling a bit dejected even though I put all the effort in [with the petition].

"It's been ongoing since TRNSMT started and I just keep hitting a brick wall. 

"You can't just take them away without any real consideration for the people of Glasgow that use that park every day."

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "The festival organisers came on-site on June 22 ahead of their event that concludes on July 9.

"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 and we always look to restore the park as quickly as possible.

"Last year additional benches were installed in the park following the conclusion of the festival."

TRNSMT has been contacted for comment.