WHEN new bus gates start next week Argyle Street and Queen Street will be almost car free.

The only way cars will be able to get to parking spaces, including several disabled spaces on Queen Street between Argyle Street and Ingram Street, is if they drive down Mitchell Street and then the very narrow passage leading to Argyle Street.

Traffic modelling by the council however, suggests that the vast majority of cars travelling down Union Street currently are heading straight ahead to cross the River Clyde to the south side.

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One disabled driver questioned the use of Mitchell Street as an alternative route.

He said: “It is very narrow, often blocked by delivery lorries for House of Fraser and a not suitable.

“If that’s the recommended route it’s not a well considered proposal.”

Surveys show fewer than one car a minute is turning left onto Argyle Street from Union Street.

The council said the bus gates are designed to improve bus speeds through the city centre to make public transport a better option.

Future plans for the area include the extension of the city centre ‘Avenues project’ which will alter the Argyle Street from Anderston and at St Enoch Square along to Trongate.

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The plans if approved and implemented will make the street a priority area for pedestrians and buses.

The main recommendations of the Connectivity Commission set up by the council to draw up plans for the city centre focused on making the city centre streets safer and more attractive for walking and cycling, giving private cars the lowest priority in a hierarchy of travel choices.

The bus gates will be in operation from Monday September 2, with signage in place the day before.

It is hoped that drivers will make decisions to use an alternative route before they reach the junctions where the bus gates are.

Travelling south they should turn off along St Vincent Street and then down Wellington Street and Robertson Street to avoid the bus gate.

The second bus gate is on Oswald Street at Midland Street for cars heading north into the city centre.

Cars should travel west along Broomielaw and then northwards on York Street and West Campbell Street.