Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Climate Conference Glasgow

27 replies

weegiemum · 23/10/2021 15:40

I wondered if anyone else is either involved in COP 26 or having people to stay, or going to be in a huge amount of disruption because!

I'm very glad our kids have all left school as they'd be trying to get to school in Finneston during the conference. But we have a delegate from Rwanda staying with us for 3 weeks which is fabulous. We're really excited to have someone of a different culture stay with us, it's a fabulous opportunity.

OP posts:
rjacksmiss · 23/10/2021 15:47

I've seen some of the locals jumping on renting their houses or flat out for like 70k for the week! 🤣🤣

sartorius · 23/10/2021 16:40

I'm not in Glasgow but well done @weegiemum for facilitating Rwanda to be able to participate and have their voice heard.
It otherwise may have been unaffordable judging by some of the prices being banded aboutConfused

I am sure your person will be interesting and you'll probably learn loads from them as well as enjoying showing off Scotland to them.

Are you connected to the Conference/Gov/hosting
(?faith )groups?

Sturmundcalm · 23/10/2021 17:03

my DD lives in Finnieston and we were planning on dropping her home tomorrow after a family get-together further west in Glasgow but have just seen that the Clydeside Expressway is completely shut from this evening so maybe not... she seems fairly relaxed about it but whether she stays so relaxed once all the restrictions are fully in force remains to be seen!

Haudyourwheesht · 24/10/2021 08:07

That's fab @weegiemum, it'd be so interesting to hear a different perspective on climate change.

I can't see it having much impact on me - we're hopefully far enough away and I'm planning to stay well away from any conference areas for the duration. Other than work I'm going nowhere I can't walk to. DH uses the M8 to get to work though so we'll see how it impacts him. If it's too hellish he may be able to work from hone.

Original poster
weegiemum · 24/10/2021 09:50

Yep we're really excited about our delegate staying. He works in farming action in Rwanda and trains teenagers to be " big brothers/sisters" to children in the slums of Kigali. He was recommended to us through a friend who does the same work in Cambodia.

What's so nice is that our teenagers are excited about having him stay. Ds is 19 and picking him up at the airport tonight (5 day quarantine needed) and has already planned the menu for this week. Dd2 is bringing her boyfriend round to meet him. Dd1 (who has her own flat) is planning on coming for dinner a couple of times this week.

OP posts:
IsleofRum · 24/10/2021 12:03

Do you receive a payment for the accommodation, or for expenses in doing this? Sounds interesting and beneficial both ways.

KingsleyShacklebolt · 24/10/2021 13:03

It's going to cause huge disruption. We live in the north of the city, DH uses the Expressway to go to work. But can't, so will now have to go the long way round on the Erskine Bridge.

Glasgow Uni students have been told to stay at home for the duration. DS is at Strathclyde, similarly they have been told not to go into the city centre - and he couldn't get into campus anyway as the trains are on strike. Other DS goes to an evening theatre school in the city centre, it's moved online for the duration as they can't guarantee staff will make it in.

I did get through to the final selection stages for volunteering but pulled out over the summer and I'm SO glad I did. I wouldn't be able to get into the venue on public transport as the trains will be off, and obviously the climate change summit is not encouraging driving.

I have been out today to drop DD at Braehead and traffic was fine, but it's Sunday and it's never too bad. If anything coming north out of the tunnel was better because there's not the jam with traffic coming off the Expressway and merging from the left. But we'll see how things are over the next three weeks. The time to really avoid the city centre is 5th and 6th Nov - there are large demos planned which will attract Extinction Rebellion and the rest of the rent a mob nutters and it will be bedlam.

bogeythefungusman · 24/10/2021 13:16

We were discussing this yesterday (due to electronic road signs warning of congestion due to COP26. In Galashiels Grin) and came to the conclusion it should have been held at Gleneagles - easier to maintain security, less traffic upheaval.

We were looking for a short break on Ayrshire coast and some hotels were charging £700+ per night when their usual rates are £100-£150..........

KingsleyShacklebolt · 24/10/2021 13:40

I don't think Gleneagles is big enough. They are expecting between 20k and 25k people attending - it's not just the world leaders.

They have parked up a Latvian cruise ship at Braehead to provide extra accommodation. But agree in terms of security and less disruption, somewhere remote would have been better.

Haudyourwheesht · 24/10/2021 16:10

@KingsleyShacklebolt

It's going to cause huge disruption. We live in the north of the city, DH uses the Expressway to go to work. But can't, so will now have to go the long way round on the Erskine Bridge.

Glasgow Uni students have been told to stay at home for the duration. DS is at Strathclyde, similarly they have been told not to go into the city centre - and he couldn't get into campus anyway as the trains are on strike. Other DS goes to an evening theatre school in the city centre, it's moved online for the duration as they can't guarantee staff will make it in.

I did get through to the final selection stages for volunteering but pulled out over the summer and I'm SO glad I did. I wouldn't be able to get into the venue on public transport as the trains will be off, and obviously the climate change summit is not encouraging driving.

I have been out today to drop DD at Braehead and traffic was fine, but it's Sunday and it's never too bad. If anything coming north out of the tunnel was better because there's not the jam with traffic coming off the Expressway and merging from the left. But we'll see how things are over the next three weeks. The time to really avoid the city centre is 5th and 6th Nov - there are large demos planned which will attract Extinction Rebellion and the rest of the rent a mob nutters and it will be bedlam.

That's the thing - they're calling for people to turn out for the demo on the 6th, to stand up against climate change, but unless you like within walking distance, you can't really get there! Especially if the trains are off.

Haudyourwheesht · 24/10/2021 16:11

@KingsleyShacklebolt

I don't think Gleneagles is big enough. They are expecting between 20k and 25k people attending - it's not just the world leaders.

They have parked up a Latvian cruise ship at Braehead to provide extra accommodation. But agree in terms of security and less disruption, somewhere remote would have been better.

They've put massive temp structures all over the car parks behind the SECC, and possibly in front too. It needs a huge space.
Original poster
weegiemum · 26/10/2021 19:35

Our guy arrived on Sunday and met the rest of his delegation today. He had Chinese food for the first time ever today! He's really lovely and no bother to have around, and he brought us loads of fabulous coffee! He's even offered to walk the dog. I'm glad he's so nice as I've been ill the last few days with a kidney infection and my 19 year old son has done all the hard work.

OP posts:
ISpyCobraKai · 26/10/2021 19:48

I'm really interested to hear all about him Weegiemum
I was wondering what that cruise ship was last week, I've just got used to the others not being there.
I'm going to Dd's tomorrow, which is up the M8- Erskine Bridge to Springburn so will see how bad it is, particularly from junction 19-15 which is always busy anyway, I have two pumpkins in my car boot which I need to take to her!

21budgies · 26/10/2021 22:50

Just read something in the Daily Record saying Greta Thunberg will be demonstrating on 5th November. The comments were really atrocious. Nasty personal abuse of her. Denying that climate change exists. Every post was like that. We are totally fucked.

Heruka · 26/10/2021 22:53

I think the trains are only striking on Sundays? Hoping to go in for the march by train but just wondering what it be like with young kids.

KingsleyShacklebolt · 26/10/2021 23:32

@Heruka

I think the trains are only striking on Sundays? Hoping to go in for the march by train but just wondering what it be like with young kids.
No, currently the trains are striking on a Sunday and have been for ages. No idea why.

This is a NEW dispute which is supposed to be two full weeks starting on Monday. All trains off. Scotrail seeming to say they might be able to cobble together enough people to run the Glasgow - Edinburgh service and out to the SECC on the low level. But that's it.

I'd also question the decision to take young kids to a march where there is likely to be a very heavy police presence, Extinction Rebellion and rent-a-mob.

clockover · 26/10/2021 23:40

Scotrail are being absolutely cunts with this strike.

Heruka · 26/10/2021 23:41

It’s a pay dispute afaik. I hadn’t realised though - that’s quite something, will disrupt things so much.

I am wondering what the atmosphere will be like, yes some concerns about whether it will be safe for them, but literally this is a climate emergency and I want to set a good example to my kids - that when bad things are happening and people are not stopping it then we step up and do something! I don’t think violent conduct is likely but know there’s always a few. My main concern more is about being able to get away if they can’t walk anymore etc so looks like the train will scupper that if a deal isn’t reached in time. Feel for the strikers too.

KingsleyShacklebolt · 27/10/2021 08:11

@clockover

Scotrail are being absolutely cunts with this strike.
They are. I'd argue the bin men in Glasgow who are also planning on going strike are even worse - because however much Glasgow city council state the position that pay for bin men and similar are negotiated country wide, the Glasgow scaffies seem to want an exception, just for them.

Really going to give all these people arriving in Scotland a fabulous impression of us and how we manage the running of our country, isn't it?

Ladylunchalot · 27/10/2021 14:28

@clockover

Scotrail are being absolutely cunts with this strike.
I disagree and totally understand why they are doing it. Train drivers had a 5% pay rise last year and the same again this year plus £300 for working during Cop26. In comparison everyone else in ScotRail had no pay rise last year, offered 2.5% for this year and no extra payments for working during Cop26. I do hope they manage to sort something out though, it will be carnage if trains are off.
readsalotgirl63 · 27/10/2021 15:11

I did see that the other unions have agreed terms with Scotrail and it is only RMT who are holding out. I also noticed a suggestion that the latest offer hadn't actually been put to RMT membership.

Not sure what the reason for the Sunday strikes is.

LizzieMacQueen · 27/10/2021 18:35

@Ladylunchalot I'm quoting you here.

In comparison everyone else in ScotRail had no pay rise last year, offered 2.5% for this year and no extra payments for working during Cop26.

2.5% is a decent increase and why should they get extra during COP26? Aren't they just doing their job?

I'm so hacked off at the no train Sundays. Kids away at uni have very little option if they want to have a weekend at home.

IsleofRum · 27/10/2021 19:47

@clockover

Scotrail are being absolutely cunts with this strike.
No the unions are.
KingsleyShacklebolt · 27/10/2021 19:50

Yes - it's not Scotrail who are at fault here. It's the unions.

readsalotgirl63 · 27/10/2021 21:21

Agreement reached so strike not happening