With just 50 days until the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26 conference at the SEC, Glasgow, from 31 October-12 November, the event transport plan has been published.
The scale of the event is unprecedented in Scotland in terms of the number of world leaders expected to attend and is on a par with the London Olympics in terms of impact.
Glasgow and Scotland are also gearing up for the unique opportunity to showcase its credentials as a major event host.
At a virtual event attended by over 400 business leaders and transport partners, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, the Cabinet Office, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce provided an update on their planning and answered questions. The key points from the Transport Plan include:
- Free travel smartcard for delegates and volunteers to ensure timeous access to crucial talks and meetings
- A fleet of electric buses will provide a free shuttle service for delegates between the city centre and SEC
- Dedicated travel plans and enhanced public transport services for days when the city will be very busy
- A mass climate rally by protestors on Saturday 6 November in the city
- A Travel Demand Management campaign and business engagement strategy to publicise impacts and offer advice, engagement and customer care for ‘business as usual’ arrangements
- A refreshed Get Ready Glasgow website and Traffic Scotland and Traveline web portal to inform the public, businesses and commuters of key travel information
- A suite of accessible transport options will be available and advertised in advance
- Detailed planning and communications for road closures and traffic management restrictions as a result of security requirements
- Sustainability, active travel and accessibility are built into the Transport Plan, which is a collective effort from UK, Scottish and Local Government.
Transport Minister Graeme Dey said: ““A detailed Transport Plan has been developed by a Transport Co-Ordination Group featuring operational partners who are very experienced in staging major events, and helped ensure a successful Commonwealth Games, European Championships and Ryder Cup.
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “COP26 presents an incredible opportunity for Glasgow as host, not only to showcase all that our city has to offer as we welcome delegates from across the globe, but also to demonstrate the level in which we can contribute both to solving climate change and to laying the foundations for our next phase of economic growth.
“The sheer scale of the event is a fantastic accolade for Glasgow however naturally there will be disruption across the city over the course of the conference, and so it is vitally important to engage with the business community to manage the impact on the day-to-day running of the city.”
Denise Hamilton, Head of city services and COP26 Operations at Glasgow City Council said: “We knew that hosting an event of such global significance was going to have an impact on the city and the extent of that impact is now clearer.
“Over the next few weeks there will be a range of engagement sessions advertised for businesses and communities to attend, in addition to the information regularly being added to getreadyglasgow.com.”
Just over a week after COP26 ends, ITT Hub is staging a conference on Wednesday 24 November at Farnborough International’s Exhibition and Conference Centre, ahead of its growing 2022 exhibition and programme.
‘COP26 takeaways for fleet operators and suppliers’ will identify and examine the challenges and opportunities of decarbonising fleets, following the landmark global conference in Glasgow. Bookings and details at www.itthub.co.uk
