A Glasgow cyclist has condemned the closure of a number of cycle lanes in the city as a "death trap".
The South City Way is blocked off at at Norfolk Street and tunnelling at Devon Street due to works being carried out by Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN).
While SPEN confirms the works are due to be completed this week, Glasgow City Council said they signed off the South City Way as fully complete in April.
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The cyclist, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Glasgow Live that he feared it was "a matter of time" before an accident occurred on the route.
He said: "The South City Way is a fantastic addition to cycling infrastructure in the city but it is currently a death trap. The closure at two of its busiest sections is creating a real hazard for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists and it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident.
"Why the council would build this, only to allow long-term closure just as the finishing touches were being put to it beggars belief. It is ironic that in the year the city is hosting the UCI cycling world championships those commuting by bike are being treated as second-class citizens. It makes the active travel pledge of city leaders seem hollow."
The council said the South City Way was closed after SPEN stated they required access, beginning from May 10.
A spokesman for the council said: “We completely share the cyclist’s frustration at the current closure of the route.
“The Gorbals Street section of South City Way was fully signed off as complete and safe for use at the end of April.
“But unfortunately we were advised that Scottish Power Energy Networks required access to the site to install cabling for social housing being built next to the route, with work going ahead on May 10.
“We have sought to liaise with both SPEN and New Gorbals Housing Association to minimise the impact of the works.
“But ultimately SPEN has a statutory right to undertake road works to install their apparatus and as the footprint of the works encroaches on to the cycle way, the route has been officially closed for a short period.
“According to the notification from SPEN to the Road Works Commissioner, the work is expected to be completed this weekend.
“The South City Way is a major part of our plans for a City Network of safer, segregated infrastructure for active travel in Glasgow that will support the city’s growing interest in cycling for every day journeys.
“The recently completed work has created a direct route between Queen’s Park and the city centre and we will be celebrating this progress with a formal launch in the near future.”
SPEN apologised for the disruption and said the works were in order to support new housing development and as part of a new First Glasgow substation.
A spokesperson for SPEN said: "We’re sorry for any disruption or inconvenience caused by these essential works, which are required to support two important developments. Firstly, a new Urban Union housing development at Norfolk Street, where our engineers have been on site for two weeks and have been coordinating with other utilities, such as BT, to ensure we minimise timescales for road closures and the impact of these works on motorists, cyclists and the public.
"And secondly, at Devon Street, where our engineers have been on site for three weeks progressing works associated with the new substation at First Glasgow’s Caledonia Depot, which will support a cleaner and greener bus network in the city.
"Our works at both sites are on track for completion this week, with the roads and the cycle paths set to be fully reinstated next week."
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