A £100million development on the site of the former STV headquarters could spark city centre traffic chaos, motorists have warned.
A £100million development on the site of the former STV headquarters could spark city centre traffic chaos, motorists have warned.
Construction is now under way to create a boutique hotel and prime office and retail space at the top of Renfield Street.
The hotelier, who has not yet been named, wants to create a seven-story design-led hotel on the corner of Hope Street and Renfrew Street.
The development, which is a joint venture between German property firm IVG Asticus and Ediston Properties, will include 132 underground parking spaces with access from Cowcaddens Road.
Road chiefs are to create a one-way system and filter lane in a bid to cut potential traffic problems, with motorists only permitted to turn left into and out of the car park.
But drivers fear the additional traffic will cause the busy carriageway, which has two sets of traffic lights, to become severely congested.
One motorist, who travels along the road every day, said: "It's ridiculous to put an entrance to a car park on such a busy road. At times the traffic is nose to tail and I pity anyone trying to get in or out of the car park."
Developers originally wanted to site the car park entrance on Renfield Street, but this was turned down by Glasgow City Council because of congestion fears.
A spokesman for IVG Asticus (GMS) Ltd reiterated the development had been given full planning consent from Glasgow City Council.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council also sought to calm fears over traffic snarl-ups.
He said: "The council carefully considered the impact on traffic caused by this development.
"Cowcaddens is a busy road and it was felt that the position of the car park entrance would assist the flow of traffic in general.
"It was felt it would have had a greater impact on traffic if it had been placed on Renfield Street."
