COP26 is officially underway - bringing thousands of delegates and more than 120 world leaders to Glasgow. 

But for those in the city, traffic disruption continues with road closures and diversions in place to help accommodate the massive event.

Major travel routes like the Clyde expressway and the M8 junction 19 are shut for three weeks from Saturday with the nearby Minerva Street - West Greenhill Place, which is located right next to the Exhibition centre train station, also now closed.

However it doesn't stop there, with Glasgow City Council announcing even further disruption last week.

READ MORE: COP26 protests in full as disruption looms in towns and cities across Scotland

From Monday, part of Dumbarton Road and Argyle Street will be closed to traffic and no vehicles are permitted to be parked on the route.

Meanwhile Dumbarton Road and Argyle Street from Byres Road to St. Vincent Street will be closed from 10am on Monday November 1 to 6am on Tuesday November 2.

Finnieston Street from Argyle Street to Lancefield Quay will also be closed as will a number of other roads in the area that join Argyle Street.

And no parking will be permitted on Argyle Street, Dumbarton Road, Finnieston Street and short lengths of the adjoining roads from 8am on Monday. Vehicles left on the route after this time will be removed.

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Elsewhere, the M8 is subject to lane restrictions and closures.  The M8 On-slip at West Street is closed, and there is no access to North Street/Charing Cross.

A signed diversion route will be in place from West Street to North Street, via Kingston Street, George V Bridge and the Broomielaw. Access to Bothwell Street from the M8 Eastbound at Junction 18 will remain open.

Alternative routes for drivers who travel through Glasgow have been issued by Glasgow City Council. 

Following innitial aerial views of the city demonstrating the closures, more detailed maps have been released to illustrate the travel resitrictions.

The expressway (A814) section which is parallel to the OVO Hydro will be shut for three weeks alongside junction 19 of the M8.

The junction is being specifically used to escort world leaders and delegates travelling through from Edinburgh and outside Glasgow.  

Diversions, which could take drivers as far away as Anniesland, will spark extreme congestion in the city during the conference. 

The aerial map of Glasgow shows the full city will be 'at risk of congestion', and a ten-mile stretch of the M8 (J13-J26) will be 'significantly busier than usual'.

Here are the road closures:

  • Congress Road - Closed October 10 to November 17: As expected the first road to close will be the one directly outside the SECC and Hydro, where the majority of talks will take place, and it will re-open at 6am on November 17.
  • Congress Way: Partial closures with lane restrictions will begin on October 17 and the full road closure will begin from 9pm on Sunday October 24. It will re-open November 21 in the morning.
  • Clydeside Expressway – Partick Interchange to Anderston (Junction 19): The major dual carriageway will cause disruption to commuters as the road is set to be closed from October 23, but it re-opens earlier than others on November 15.
  • Clyde Arc and Lancefield Quay: Road closed from October 23 to November 15
  • Minerva Street – West Greenhill Place: Road Closed from October 28 to November 13. 
  • Part of Dumbarton Road and Argyle Street will be closed from Monday, November 1.
  • Dumbarton Road and Argyle Street from Byres Road to St. Vincent Street will be closed from 10am on Monday November 1 to 6am on Tuesday November 2.
  • Finnieston Street from Argyle Street to Lancefield Quay will also be closed
  • The Tradeston M8 On-slip at West Street will be closed with no access to North Street/Charing Cross until November 15.

Local Area Traffic Management Plans (LATMPs) have issued day-to-day maps detailing road closures and areas with high risk of congestion.

Andy Waddell, Director of City Operations at Glasgow City Council, said: “In general people have heeded the advice to plan ahead when travelling in and around the city.

"Diversion routes are busier due to the Clydeside Expressway being closed but people have taken on board what we’ve been saying about changing how and when they travel to avoid congested areas.

"This will be particularly important with the additional road closures coming into effect on Monday.

“Ultimately we need people to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journey or make alternative arrangements if possible.”

Full details of the closures can be found HERE.

Here are the day-to-day images detailing city traffic:


From Monday November 1
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Tuesday November 2
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Wednesday November 3 - Friday November 5
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Saturday November 6
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Sunday November 7 - Saturday November 13
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Walking and Cycling closures have been given diversions as seen below:

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Full details of the closures can be found HERE.