A GLASGOW actress who fought to save two city high-rise housing blocks has slammed Commonwealth Games chiefs for their lack of consultation over the Red Road demolition plans.

Elaine Ellis, a member of Sighthill Community Council, tried to stop council plans to demolish two multi-storeys in Pinkston Drive as part of the £250million regen-eration of the area.

The 48-year-old, who grew up in the flats, said there was no consultation with residents, and compared her plight with those still living in and around the Red Road development.

The planned regener-ation of Sighthill was announced in September 2012, and was linked to the failed bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Ms Ellis - an actress who has been in films including Sunshine on Leith - said: "On September 3, 2012 we were told they were being pulled down. There was no consultation. They didn't listen to the residents.

"And I would say that is what has happened to the people in Red Road."

One block at Red Road, Petershill Court, which is used to house asylum seekers, will not be demolished during the Games opening ceremony, but at a later date.

The other five are due to come down on July 23 when the Games kick off.

Glasgow 2014 said it started engaging with local people last Thursday - the day that the plans were made public.

Ms Ellis raised concerns over the message. She said: "It is an ugly idea because there is nothing positive about destruction.

"If they were maybe unveiling something or replacing the flats then that would be positive, but nothing good can come from destruction. People like seeing buildings being blown up but there's a real sense of melancholy after."

She suggested that the organising committee should be using Glasgow's green spaces to stage parts of the opening ceremony.

It came as a petition against the plan launched by former Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie topped 16,000 signatures.

This week Games chief executive David Grevem-berg said that the plans would go ahead - but that he would listen to opinions and welcomed engagement.

It was also revealed the bill for the opening and closing ceremonies had risen from a projected £14million to £21m.

A meeting is planned between campaigners and members of the committee on Tuesday at 11.30am at the Commonwealth Games offices in Albion Street.

Views - both for and against - are continuing to flood into the Evening Times website.

Johnny Mack said: "Opening ceremony? I just about choked on my Weetabix when I read that not only has this loony idea attracted wide condemnation but that the budget for the opening ceremony has soared by 50% to £21m."

William Dickie said: "The budget would have been much higher if there was a firework display as this blowdown is free. Why copy others?"

Peter Grant added: "The athletes can now look forward to breathing two weeks of rubble dust at no additional charge."

Sam McKeown said: "The Games people need to hold their nerve and not bow to those who oppose anything that is a bit controversial."

Kenny Lang, from Barrhead, said: "It is a brilliant idea. Only Glas-gow could have thought up such a novel spectacle without any costs. I look forward to the big bang."

Robert MacMichael, from Cumbernauld, said: "Will Rab C Nesbitt be doing the blowdown detonation? It's a lovely image for a billion live TV audience."

Matt Quinn, who grew up in Petershill Drive, said: "The Games have cost many a Glasgow East-Ender their homes and businesses, with no adequate compensation.

"It's a spectacle most won't be able to access and the facilities left will be beyond the reach of many."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk