PLANS to ban cars from two busy city centre streets have sparked mixed views from Evening Times readers.

The city council has said it wants to introduce bus gates at Renfield Street and Oswald Street, to speed up the flow of public transport and improve air quality.

It follows on from a similar controversial move in Nelson Mandela Place, which resulted in hundreds of drivers being fined after falling foul of new rules which allow only buses and taxis to use the route, to access George Square.

The latest move to restrict the streets to buses, taxis and cyclists has been welcomed by some people but others insist the move will drive shoppers to out of town malls.

There are also calls for the introduction of a light rail network, linking outlying communities to the city centre.

Craig Devine, of East Kilbride, wrote: "It's about time something like this was at least tried - there are far too many cars, poor air quality and a non-friendly pedestrian environment in the city.

"We need to make the city more like Copenhagen or Amsterdam or even Bristol, with more cyclists and less people using private cars.

"My only fear is more bus congestion, which isn't going to reduce pollution.

"I'm all for tree lined pedestrian orientated thoroughfares - but, no doubt, the car dependents will whine and moan about victimisation.

"They can always go and shop at Braehead or Silverburn or the Fort, or wherever else there's an overabundance of chain stores, and leave the city centre to the rest of us."

Andrew Moss, from Glasgow, said: "There has to be an integrated approach to reducing traffic and pollution. Simply placing bus gates and reducing car numbers will not encourage people to travel by bike.

"Buses and taxis are the biggest dangers to cyclists.

"Segregated cycle lanes would be a start, but, as it stands, cycle/bus/taxi/private hire lanes discourage cyclist, not encourage them.

"A far wider approach is needed to reduce the pollution and congestion problems all over Glasgow and the other major towns and cities throughout the UK.

"The half hearted efforts by Glasgow City Council, which appears to target those who can pay and can be caught, seems to be another effort the fill their dwindling coffers.

"Glasgow is for visiting, walking, enjoying, but you must also be able to get there to enjoy the great architecture, vibrancy, culture of this great city that was after all built on transport - the river Clyde."

Johnny Mack wrote: "Personally, I'm for Braehead. Let them build all the bus gates, bus lanes, parking meters they want. Glasgow will have plenty of fresh air but will it have the customers to breathe it?"

Stewie Griffin, from Glasgow, said: "Glasgow is a no go area as it is."

Alan Hall, also from Glasgow, wrote: "It is time Glasgow had a light rail tram system, running from the city centre to Newton Mearns.

"Another route would run up Victoria Road, onto Battlefield Road and up to Clarkston while another could run out to East Kilbride.

"If Manchester can do it, then Glasgow must follow suit. Come on, let's see trams back in Glasgow to help cut pollution from other road motors."

Hazel Kaye, of Strathclyde, said: "Glasgow needs a light rail/tram system to complement and integrate with the suburban rail network, to serve places remote from it."

Ron Campbell wrote: "Motorists are not going to co-operate, voluntarily, to reduce the air pollution in the city."

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk