THE public hearings into controversial parking zone plans at Celtic Park and Ibrox are set to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Glasgow City Council has asked for a sist of the process as members of staff cannot enter the authority's offices during the pandemic.

Two Scottish Government reporters Sinéad Lynch and Lance R Guilford, who were appointed to lead the independent hearings, believe the request "needs to be accommodated".

The authority has proposed event day parking zones due to residents' concerns about obstructive match day parking and to encourage fans to use public transport.

READ MORE: Celtic to challenge Glasgow City council over missing details in parking zone plan

But thousands of people have objected to the orders causing the council to call public hearings.

Draft notes on two pre-hearing meetings, held last month, state: "The priority for everyone involved in this process is to remain safe.

"The council has requested a sist of the process for the hearing whilst the restrictions imposed with respect to the COVID-19 emergency remain in place. The reporters consider that this request needs to be accommodated.

"The views of parties on the provisional timeline and the proposed sist of the hearing process would be particularly welcome."

A council spokesman said: "Due to the lockdown of premises and the requirement to stay at home, it has been impossible for staff to access all of the information needed to support the hearing process.

"In the circumstances, it was appropriate to ask the the hearings were suspended until such time as staff are in a position to address fully any issues that may arise."

Both reporters acknowledge the current lock down will prevent meetings between parties who want to present evidence together but hope discussion can take place via email, video link or phone.

They say the timeline for statements and date for the hearing are "likely to be significantly affected by the Covid-19 restrictions".

"Our provisional timeline is for the council to submit its statement to the programme officer team within six weeks of the end of the proposed sist," the reporters add.

READ MORE: Rangers fans hope Ibrox parking zone hearing won't be futile

The note states "none of the relevant members of the council's technical team are in a position to sufficiently progress matters relating to the hearing while working from home, and they are not permitted to enter the council's offices".

"The council has therefore requested the ongoing process be sisted until the lockdown is eased, and the council's team are able to return to their office-based duties."

The hearing procedures would be paused for an initial period of four weeks and "extended if necessary". Both hearings are expected to take around five days.