Staff at Glasgow's Clyde Tunnel in health and safety fears

GMB chiefs say that it has come to light that the nerve-centre is unsafe because its single entry and exit point is covered by a door which is not fire retardant.

They claim that their members would be trapped in the event of a blaze within the hub as the door does not offer the protection required to allow fire crews the time to raise a ladder and escort people out a window.

Chris Mitchell, GMB convener, has given council chiefs an ultimatum that the problem is either remedied within the next few days or action will be considered.

Chris Mitchell of GMB Scotland (Image: supplied)

He said: “Over 70,000 vehicles go through that tunnel a day, it is a key route through the city, but the safety of our members must come first.

“This is a metal door, it is not compliant with the council’s own health and safety requirements and it needs to be replaced immediately. It is bad enough there isn’t a proper fire exit from this part of the tunnel where people are working round the clock, but the fact there isn’t the correct protection in place to offer safeguards in the event of a fire simply beggar belief.”

The Glasgow Times understands the issue came to light during a meeting on Thursday. The union chief says that the specialist training required to operate the  SCADA system - which controls resources like the tunnel’s cameras and ventilation – meaning the withdrawal of labour that would leave the tunnel having to be monitored and emergencies dealt with from elsewhere.

Clyde Tunnel and the control room, positioned above the entrance. (Image: Glasgow Times)

He said: “The staff manning the control room do a brilliant job. They need to monitor all routes in and out of the area and there is an immense demand and responsibility on them round the clock. The roles they perform require immense concentration, and the team certainly doesn’t need to be worrying about their own safety while they are trying to keep one of the busiest routes in Glasgow moving freely and without incident.

“I’ve been in the control room and it is loaded with electrical panels, screens and monitors. I dread to think how many volts are going through the place and if it were to go on fire, there is one way in and out. Unfortunately, if this is not sorted as a matter of urgency, we will have no choice but to call a meeting where we will discuss withdrawing our members’ labour. If that means the tunnel needs to be closed, then unfortunately that is what will need to happen."

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The Clyde Tunnel is managed by Glasgow City Council, under the remit of its roads department, and Mr Mitchell has called on them to act.

He said: “They are putting people’s lives at risk by allowing this. It is unsafe and we won’t stand for it.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of this issue and action is being taken to address the concerns that have been raised.

“The tunnel does require to be routinely monitored but that can also be done from other parts of the tunnel complex or by our Traffcom team.

“There is no reason to close the tunnel as a consequence of this matter.”