Queen's Park residents voice concerns over Hampden Park over-spill car park

Glasgow City Council have given use of Queen's Park Recreation Ground to UEFA as use of an overspill car park while Hampden Park hosts tournament matches.

The decision has angered residents who feel that the extra traffic in the area will cut off the space to locals.

Rosie Clifford, a resident who lives close to the ground, said: "I don't see the need for it in all honesty. I think it seems unnecessary when there are already a reduced number of fans going to the games anyway, why do we need an overspill?

"I often walk my dog through the recreation ground and we are cut off from using it for the next month."

Another local resident feared over the condition in which the grounds will be left after the temporary car park is gone.

Paul, who often used the area as part of fitness classes, said: "One of my main concerns is what is the grass going to look like after all these cars are away?

"It will be a mess with the amount of cars driving on the boards over the grass, totally damaged.

"I use it regularly for exercise and I see it becoming unusable, which is really sad because our green space is so important. I know that during lockdown I would use the space to go on walks and it was important to me to be able to get out the house and use the recreation ground to exercise."

Despite concerns, Glasgow City Council have stated that any damages to the ground will be covered by UEFA.

A spokesman for the council said: “The council has given permission for UEFA to use a section of Queen’s Park Recreation Ground as a temporary car park as part of their plan for Hampden Park during Euro 2020.

“The car park will be set-up using temporary trackway to minimise any damage to the ground, but UEFA will still be expected to cover any repairs.

"Queen’s Park Recreation Ground was used successfully as a temporary car park during the 2012 Olympics football tournament and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”