RESIDENTS in Helensburgh and Lomond fear “nightmare traffic” amid warnings of strikes ahead of the arrival of 25,000 delegates in Glasgow for a global conference on climate change.

World leaders, politicians, climate change activists and journalists from around the world take over the region in a matter of days for the COP26 UN Climate Change conference – the biggest summit ever hosted in the country for two weeks to tackle the emergency from global warming.

Large-scale transport disruption has previously been predicted during the conference, with major roads in the city closed to traffic.

However, ScotRail workers have also announced a strike – backed by the RMT union – during COP26 from November 1 to 12 amid a dispute over pay and conditions.

Sunday train services in Scotland have been crippled for months as workers protest over pay and conditions.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said: “ScotRail have had adequate time to come up with a fair pay settlement for Scotland’s rail workers in advance of COP26.

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“Instead they have kicked the can down the road and left us with no option but to put this action on."

Commuter Dawn Morrison, from Helensburgh, told the Advertiser: “I have commuted into the city centre by train every day for work for the last 10 years without a hassle. Now one event is happening and it has caused utter carnage.

“The people affected by this will be living in a nightmarish hell for the month just to simply do our jobs. It is diabolical that people have to suffer and look for alternative routes.

“Some people can’t afford taxis every day or are terrified to get the bus because of Covid. I am utterly disgusted we have been left like this.”

In recent weeks bus operators across the country have been facing a driver shortage leading to a number of services cancelled.

First Bus which operates a number of services throughout Helensburgh and Lomond have confirmed there will be no strike action during the COP26 event – but there will be no additional services either.

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An elderly resident from Cardross who asked not to be named,said: “I used the bus and train regularly to visit my family who live in Glasgow, but because of all the hassle I am deciding to stay home for the whole month.

“This is just like the first lockdown all over again. There is no doubt I will be isolated from the community again and the people I love most.

“I am shocked that this has to be the outcome for such hopeful event coming into the city that would hopefully bring something good to our country.”

Jackie Baillie, Helensburgh and Lomond's MSP, told the Advertiser that the event will give the opportunity to showcase the west of Scotland.

She said: “COP26 should be a positive event, especially if we manage to secure commitments to tackle climate change across the globe.

“It also gives us a chance to showcase the West of Scotland and will be a real boost to our local and national economy.

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“However, I completely appreciate why many people will feel apprehensive about the thought of the summit.

“The proposed road closures and industrial action on our railways will making getting around more difficult.

“I suggest that for the two weeks that we are hosting COP26, local people take some time to plan their journeys and avoid driving when able to do so.”

Vivien Dance, chief executive of the Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce, hopes the conference will bring an economic boost to the area.

She said: “We’re very fortunate in this area because we won’t see the traffic restrictions or the same disruptions as the Glasgow area.

“What we may see, and I hope that we do, is that people who are coming to stay for a while come to visit the region. That would be extremely beneficial.

“Given that Helensburgh has a very good reputation for being open for business, we are ready to receive any visitors. I’m sure they will enjoy coming here and the businesses will be ready to welcome them.

“Helensburgh still has a lot of small, independent businesses unlike a lot of town centres, so hopefully that will catch their eye.”