THE road outside Glasgow City Chambers could be pedestrianised as part of a raft of proposed traffic changes in the city centre.

The road, to the east of George Square, could be closed to traffic and raised to pavement level.

Under the scheme, which has been put out to public consultation, Queen Street Station's taxi rank on Dundas Street will be moved around the corner to an area on West George Street that will be locked off to private cars.

A "bus gate" would be brought in on Nelson Mandela Place, with only buses, taxis and service vehicles allowed on to West George Street from West Nile Street, reducing traffic through Nelson Mandela Place by over two-thirds, and halving the traffic flow north of George Square.

Council land and environmental services spokesman Alistair Watson said: "There will be a substantial reduction in the degree of congestion and vehicle pollution in the area. The reduction in traffic will also lead to improved pedestrian access to the entrance of Queen Street Station and better access for buses to the north side of West George Street."

The proposed part-pedestrianisation of George Square will give councillors unobstructed access to the City Chambers, while Queen Street commuters will have to walk an extra 170ft to the new taxi rank or use the alternative rank to the east.

Dundas Street could be closed to all traffic except service vehicles.

Parking spaces could be removed on Cochrane Street to make way for a new tourist coach drop-off point.