RESIDENTS of a South Side community claim they have ‘no quality of life’ on match days as football fans cause serious disruption.

Locals in Dumbreck say the area should be better protected from traffic due to it being a conservation area.

But, along with dire issues on days of Rangers home games, they say the streets are used as a ‘rat run’.

And they are frustrated by the length of time Glasgow City Council is taking to resolve issues with complaints first raised more than two years ago.

Derek MacLean, of Hazelwood Residents Association, is spearheading a call for improvements along with other residents.

Mr MacLean said: “Our street is used as a rat run but it was never designed to be used by heavy traffic.

“On match days it can take as much as three hours to make it from the outskirts of Dumbreck home as the traffic is so bad, not to mention the other issues that go along with it.

"Rangers did employ stewards on match days, which was a great help and that came after a meeting in June we had with them but it would seem the council hasn't supported that."

Dumbreck is a short walk from Ibrox and so is attractive to football supporters as a handy parking area.

But locals say anti-social behaviour is rife with drivers coming hours early to secure a parking spot then eating and drinking in their cars before throwing rubbish into gardens.

Residents say their gardens have been used as toilets by fans who can become aggressive when challenged.

They say their driveways are blocked and emergency access is hindered by careless parking.

Some drivers have even been spotted taking traffic cones and hiding them in their car boot.

Rangers however, said it has been working closely with Dumbreck Community Council and provides stewards in the area on match days.

Glasgow City Council has been consulting on event day zone parking (EDZP) and now independent public hearings on the issue around both Ibrox Stadium and Celtic Park are to be held.

Following a statutory consultation in relation to both stadia earlier this year there were 1568 objections and 103 notices of support in respect of Ibrox.

Mr Maclean says current plans mooted by the council could see thousands of parking permits handed out for the area.

He said: “If the scheme goes ahead then everyone with a local connection will be able to ask for a parking permit – we have Bellahouston Academy, a local church, an ex-servicemen club, and others.

“They come in waving their parking permit and hey, they’re entitled to park wherever they want.

During the Commonwealth Games, a plan was put in place in the area that saw each household entitled to two residents-only permits – and this is what locals would now like to see implemented.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: “We are well aware of the impact of parking by football supporters, on local residents during event days at Ibrox and have been working closely with Dumbreck Community Council who provided the catalyst for the proposed event day parking zone.

“This is a legal process that normally takes nine to12 months to progress but in a complex situation such as this where there are many conflicting views, it can take longer.

“To comply with legal procedures the council has appointed a an independent reporter who will call a hearing to consider all stakeholders views, meanwhile, the council has committed to provide additional enforcement on match days.

“In addition, we recently carried out surveys in the local area at a location requested by a community member which showed that average speeds are below 20mph and volumes are proportionate with character of the area."

However, residents say drivers regularly travel at more than 20mph.

Mr Maclean said: "It is impossible for the council to quantify that."

A Rangers spokesman said: “There have been meetings with the residents and these have been productive.

“Rangers is continuing to do everything possible to assist residents on match days and it is not true to say there are no high-vis patrols on these days.

“In conjunction with Police Scotland we have been patrolling Dumbreck for more than a year now, so we do have people in the areas and they are there to help alleviate any problems.

“We will continue to deploy them for as long as is necessary.”