A Glasgow MP has slammed the decision to allow a busy south side road to close for six-weeks, causing 'traffic chaos' for drivers.
Chris Stephens's constituents had been in contact with him in their numbers after roadworks were set up on Corkerhill Road on Tuesday, leading to gridlock for commuters in Pollok.
Road users complained of waits of up to an hour with traffic in both directions as a six-week programme of works in the area of Mosspark Drive got underway.
Corkerhill Road, south of its junction with Mosspark Drive, has been closed by Scottish Water to allow a pipe installation with diversions in place.
The situation has been described as 'absolute carnage'.
One local said: "It’s very concerning, it’s a main route for the area and bus services have been suspended. This area already has issues around social deprivation and the lack of transport for residents."
Another added: "This work by Scottish Water has been ongoing for the past two years…why then wasn’t this work attempted when people were working from home and the roads considerably quieter?"
Chris Stephens has now urged Glasgow City Council and Scottish Water to take action to reduce disruption for commuters over the next few weeks.
The MP for Glasgow South West said: "I have had many constituents understandably write to my office very angry about the traffic issues across the constituency this morning because of the road closure on Corkerhill Road.
"I have been in contact with both Scottish Water and Glasgow City Council about the traffic chaos caused on Tuesday morning. Following my contact, Scottish Water visited the site and are working with Glasgow City Council, and I have urged them both to seek an urgent solution on what action they will be taking to reduce disruption for commuters going forward."
He added: "Over the last few months, I have been aware of the considerable disruption to local commuters caused by the Scottish Water maintenance work in the Southside of Glasgow. I understand the latest six-week closure at Corkerhill Road enables pipe installation work to be carried out as part of the more extensive flooding prevention programme.
"I have previously written to the Council about these road closures and traffic congestion caused at peak times. Therefore, I would have hoped that an appropriate assessment would have been carried out before today’s closure, coinciding with schools returning and many people returning to work.
"It is clear, not enough consideration was given prior about the levels of congestion the closure was going to cause, and it is now essential Glasgow City Council take steps to address this going forward. I will be doing all in my power to progress this with the local authority."
Matt Ventisei, Scottish Conservative Candidate for the Greater Pollok Ward said: "An urgent revised plan is needed straight away as the traffic chaos cannot continue for the whole six weeks."
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “We are aware of congestion on Corkerhill Road and other roads in Pollok on Tuesday morning, which we understand to be linked to changes to arrangements for the roadworks in the area that have been on-going for several weeks.
“We have asked that signage for diversions in relation to these works to be adjusted and made as prominent as possible to help drivers adapt to the change in traffic management arrangements.”
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “We would advise road users in the area to follow the clear and appropriate signage in place at various locations close to the road closure on Corkerhill Road.
“We will also install some additional signage further away from the road closure.
“We would expect these issues to ease in due course, as road users become more aware of the arrangements.
“We thank road users for their patience and understanding.”
