Glasgow 2014
Glasgow 2014
With the Games fast approaching, we know there’s many questions that both visitors and residents of Glasgow are asking, whether you’re going to the Games or not. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of questions that we reckon have got a lot of you wondering in the hope to clear this all up for you.
You may have seen printed on those easy-to-read (or not) purple signs dotted around the city, the abbreviation ‘GRN’ and wondered what it stood for. Well, after some top-notch detective work, we have finally uncovered the mystery! GRN = Glasgow Route Network. This network runs from the east of the city to the south side and out to west end venues.
Whilst GRN is the abbreviation we’ve seen the most, you’d be forgiven for getting stumped at some other abbreviations that the brains of the Commonwealth have come up with too. Here’s a few more that have caught our eye:
CGV = Commonwealth Games Village
CAV = Velodrome (obviously...?)
GFH = Games Family Hotel
PSA = Pedestrian Screening Area
SXC = Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre Precinct
GRC = Glasgow Green Precinct
The Games lanes will operate like bus lanes, and they are dedicated to official Games travel. Be careful: drivers using the Games lanes without authorisation will face fines.
“But Police haven’t imposed any fines yet!” I hear you say… While this is true for the time being, Police have stated that they will be cracking down on this, and £50 fines will be issued for cyclists and motorists using the lanes, while a £150 fine will be issued for parked cars that will also be towed away with an additional cost of £20 for each day it remains impounded. Clearly the best place for cyclists is at the CAV!
In a word… No. Organisers have put a huge emphasis on public transport during the Games, and all ticket holders for the sporting events will be able to travel for free on trains, buses and the city subway network, so this is your best option for getting about.
Perhaps the biggest closures that may affect your travel are the Bells and Millenium bridges, which are closed due to their proximity to the SECC. The Squinty and Tradeston bridges are also closed for vehicles, but open to pedestrians and cyclists, so consider cycling or walking if this is a route you take often.
To search restrictions in your area, click here.
During the Games, there will now be eight trains per hour linking Glasgow Central Low Level Station with Bridgeton, Dalmarnock and Exhibition Centre.
If you usually get the lower level train from Central to travel east, you will need to get the train from Argyle Street.
Extra carriages will be added to all of the busiest train services during the Games period and trains will also be running later than usual.
Glasgow subway will be running shuttle buses after 23:00 on week-nights and extending times until 01:00 over the weekends.
To access the full rail timetable, click here.
If you absolutely must take the car, there is a park & ride service available for the Opening Ceremony at Celtic Park, Athletics (Track & Field) at Hampden Park, Rugby Sevens at Ibrox Stadium, Cycling (Mountain Bike) at Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails, Triathlon at Strathclyde Country Park and the Closing Ceremony at Hampden Park.
However, spaces are limited so it's a good idea to pre-book in order to reserve a space. You can do so here. Pre-book prices are £5 instead of £10 on the day.
Regular shuttle services will then take you from the parking site to the event.
Shuttle bus services will also be frequently running from Buchanan Bus Station for some of the larger events or the venues that are less accessible by public transport, including Hampden Park, Ibrox Stadium, Cathkin Braes, Celtic Park and Strathclyde Country Park.
We don't have the answer to this one just yet, but if you think you know, send us your suggestions here. The top 20 suggestions will win a chocolate medal!
There seems to be a crazy amount of seagulls in the city at the moment, whoever knew they were sports fans!
