Games security fence is barrier to residents' safety says MSP

GAMES diversions are putting residents in danger, according to a city MSP,

Security fences on Kelvin Way in the West End are forcing pedestrians to go through Kelvingrove Park or face lengthy detours.

A 24-year-old woman from Yorkhill had to walk through the park in total darkness having come face-to-face with fences blocking her way.

"­Thankfully I wasn't alone otherwise I'd have been terrified," she said.

"I had to use the light on my phone to see as it was so dark, and there were quite a lot of people in there who seemed lost."

Sandra White, MSP for the Kelvin ward, has received numerous complaints from local people, mainly women worried about safety.

The politician is calling for 24-hour ­security guards and signage in the area, and says the diversion "is putting people's lives at risk".

Ms White said: "It's dangerous and constituents have raised it with us, particularly young girls who are frightened about walking around in the dark. There are no signs or security guards. They're ­putting people's lives at risk."

It has been claimed that at an information session councillors and residents were told the road, between Argyle Street and University Avenue, would be closed off to traffic but stay open to pedestrians.

In the East End residents are ­planning to take to the streets to protrest at Commonwealth Games security measures.

Duncan Miller, 55, from Kinnear Road, said people have been "kept in the dark" about work schedules. He organised today's protest and said: "People have got nothing out of all this, nothing at all."

A spokesman for Glasgow 2014 said they have engaged with residents regularly and run community meetings to inform people.

He said Kelvin Way was partly closed for health and safety reasons and notification signs went up in advance.

hannah.rodger@ eveningtimes.co.uk