EAST End residents have been left angry after a key artery in and out of their homes has been closed.

The decision to go ahead with the closure of the road in Eastfields, Carntyne has prompted furious residents to start a petition demanding the decision be reversed.

Glasgow Times:

Hundreds of residents have backed the petition opposing the closure of Rigby Street.

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow City Council, however, approved the plans when permission was first given to Bellway Homes for the development around 12 years ago.

Now the local authority says it has no power to stop the road closure.

Since then, residents living in both private and social housing have had full access to the road.

Now they say the closure will lead to more traffic through the estate and through Myreside Street.

They also believe the increase in traffic through the alternative route could be a danger to the children who live in the estate and play outside.

Glasgow Times:

John Ferguson, who lives in Myreside Street, said: “It is the main road to Parkhead and closing it off will cause so much congestion.

“Just now there are speed bumps on the road but they want to make that a main road. So if that is removed, you will have drivers speeding through the area. That is a worry because a lot of kids around here play out in the streets on their bikes.”

He added: “This is all family houses, and they are building more. There are loads of kids in the estate and now they want to put a main road through it.

“People who have bought their houses have said that they would not have bought them if they knew this was going to happen.”

Glasgow Times:

Another resident Paul Robertson also hit out at the plans.

He said: “The standard of driving on Rigby Street is a joke at the best of times, diverting traffic through a residential street isn’t going to change the standard of driving, it will just relocate poor drivers onto roads where children play.”

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: “While we understand residents’ concerns, the approved planning permission which is in place, is to close Rigby Street and re-open Myreside Street.

“The council has no power to stop Bellway Homes carrying out this approved work.  However, we are happy to discuss alternative options which might work with Bellway Homes, should they wish to come to speak to us.”

Bellway Homes, however, said it is holding meetings including one with the council next week.

A spokesman said: "While we have a legal obligation to comply with the approved planning consent, we appreciate the concerns raised by local residents.

 “With this in mind and in a bid to understand all available options, meetings with both the local MSP and the local authority have been arranged.”

You can sign the petition here 

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