St George's Road locals react to Glasgow M8 works

Scheduled to run until December 2, the works are set to cause significant disruption to the flow of vehicles and pedestrians around St George’s Cross, with considerable areas of road and pavement now cordoned off.

We spoke to local business owners on St George’s Road to see how the project is affecting their trade, and what they thought about the introduction of a cycle lane.

READ NEXT: Glasgow Byres Road locals have their say on new cycle lanes

(Image: Colin Mearns)

Lake Sharma, 59, owns The Q Club, a snooker and pool hall. He's worried about the impact of reduced footfall on the street, and believes the cycle lane will be a “disaster.”

He said: “The smaller businesses round here rely on passing trade. They’ve lost all that now, which has a major impact. And it’s 21 weeks we’ve got to suffer it for. How can small businesses around here survive for 21 weeks?

“The cycle lane is going to be a disaster. There’s going to be a huge problem with parking - especially when the schools go back. It’s going to be gridlocked.

“Sauchiehall Street is a disaster. They want to do Argyle Street - it’s going to be a disaster. You can see what Byres Road is like - another disaster. Why don’t they talk to the businesses when they’re planning this stuff?

“Whoever planned this really needs their head looked at. It’s chaos, absolute chaos.”

(Image: Newsquest)

Frank McNab, 54, owner of Creative Art Tattoo Studio, says the traffic and parking are already a “nightmare,” and fears that the project is likely to overrun.

He said: “It’s already had an impact on staff and clients getting here with the chaos and the upheaval of the roads. It’s a nightmare - especially getting home after work. An absolute nightmare. The traffic is murder.

“There’s apparently going to be no disabled parking bays up this end of the road. What about disabled people that live around here?  I’m registered disabled. Where do I park?

“They’ve said it will last five months, weather permitting. Unfortunately in Glasgow, that means 10 months to a year.”

(Image: Newsquest)

Avtar Singh, 66, owner of A.S. Electrics, says the reduction in foot traffic has been terrible for trade and feels like the works weren’t properly explained in advance.

“It’s disgraceful,” he said. “It’s killed my business. I’m standing here doing nothing all day. There’s a lot less people walking by. 

“There wasn’t much communication or warning. I got a leaflet about it a few days before the work started.

“The cycle lane is another disgrace. There’s going to be no parking whatsoever. Everyone is going to park round the back, so residents will suffer.”

(Image: Newsquest)

David Dennett, 47, owner of the bar Camerons, understands some of the discontent but has a more positive view of the cycle lane coming in.

“With the nature of our business, we’re not that bothered about folk driving here,” he said. “So I don’t think it’s had a major effect on us - apart from staff getting in 10 minutes late in the morning.

“But I can imagine it’s worse for other businesses further down the street. I can understand why some of the smaller businesses along the road would find it difficult.

“The cycle lane can only be good for business. Anything that allows people to travel past here is going to be good.”

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Gemma Trykowski, 38, co-owner of beauty salon Love Those Lashes, is against the cycle lane, and thinks there should be better coordination of travel in the city.

“It has impacted on the running of the business,” she said. “A lot of clients are late because they don’t realise it’s all been closed off. It has a knock on effect, because clients are getting here and we can’t actually see them.

“Some of the staff have been a bit late as a result, or started using public transport more. But ScotRail is running a reduced timetable.

“I wish the heads of all these departments could communicate with one another. If such big roadworks are happening, shouldn’t they be increasing services, rather than reducing them?

“The cycle lane is so stupid. I think it’s crazy. It’s only going to be used by food delivery drivers, and it will take parking spaces away permanently for our clients, which will be a big disruption. So I’m not a fan of it at all.”

(Image: Newsquest)

Alan Smith, 35, is the owner of bicycle repair shop Braw Bikes. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he is in favour of the new cycle lane.

“The majority of the people that come in cycle here anyway,” he said, “so the roadworks haven’t really affected them so much. I’ve not seen a huge reduction in people coming into the shop, although there’s probably been less people walking by.

“As a bike shop, I’m all for adding a cycle lane. But I think I’m the only shop on this stretch that’s pleased that it’s happening.”

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “The significant improvement work currently underway around St George’s Road will ultimately deliver a safer, more attractive and improved public realm that encourages walking, wheeling and cycling in the area for people to visit and support their local economy.

“Unfortunately, as with any significant upgrading projects, there will be a local impact, which has been communicated by ourselves, partners and in local media. The work is expected to be completed by beginning of December and we are working with the partners to keep disruption to a minimum.”

This whole section of road and pavement is cordoned off (Image: Newsquest) Pedestrians are forced to go over the footbridge or take a longer route to cross (Image: Newsquest) Significant traffic restrictions are in place (Image: Newsquest) The restrictions extend down to Sauchiehall street (Image: Newsquest)