Plan ahead and allow plenty time for travel – that’s the important message for anyone attending the public fireworks display at Strathclyde Country Park on November 5.
Organisers North and South Lanarkshire Councils expect the free event to be very busy so advise visitors to travel by public transport if possible or park further away and walk, and to arrive early to enjoy the music and food outlets.
The fireworks display starts at 7.30pm, with the bonfire lit at 6.30pm. Food outlets run by The Big Feed will be open from 5.30pm to 9pm at the Watersports Centre concourse and the foreshore car park, with entertainment from DJ Elliot Boyce around the centre.
“The safest way to enjoy fireworks night is to attend an organised display, and our event at Strathclyde Country Park is ideal for all the family,” said Councillor James McPhilemy, Vice Convener of North Lanarkshire Council’s Environment and Climate Change Committee.
“We would ask everyone attending to follow instructions from Police Scotland and our stewards to ensure the event runs smoothly.
“In the run up to November 5, residents should follow advice from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to keep our communities safe.”
There will be no funfair at the Watersports Centre but M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park will be open as normal with a discounted wristband offer between 5pm and 10pm which can be booked online at www.scotlandsthemepark.co.uk.
There is limited parking within Strathclyde Country Park, and spaces will fill up early. Vehicles in the park will be held for some time after the display ends to allow people on foot to exit safely, so drivers are asked to be patient. The beach car park will be closed.
Vehicle access to the park from Hamilton Road will close just before the display starts at 7.30pm. Access will remain open via the Raith Interchange.
Police Scotland will manage traffic entering and leaving the event. At the main entrance to the park, there will be no right turn from Hamilton Road South, and no straight on or right turn from Airbles Road.
Traffic coming from these directions will be directed towards Hamilton, round the roundabout and back to turn left into the park.
Road closures will be in place on:
- Airbles Road offside lane from the junction with Hamilton Road, southeast for 40m
- Braedale Avenue from the junction with Hamilton Road, northeast for 20m
- Bothwellhaugh Road, Bellshill from the junction with McCallum Gardens, southeast then southwest for 700m.
No waiting or loading restrictions will be in place from 2pm to midnight on the day on streets around the park. Parking attendants will be in operation in the streets around the park to enforce these restrictions.
Parking is available in Hamilton at Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds and Low Parks Museum, South Lanarkshire Council’s overflow car park at the rear of Aldi, Keith Street and High Patrick Street.
The usual restrictions and fees will be lifted in these car parks for the evening.
The tunnel from Hamilton into the park will be open until 7.30pm. From then, it will only be open for people exiting the park.
Disabled parking spaces are available in the main car park, beside the Watersports Centre, and is bookable on a first come, first served basis. Call 01698 402060 for a pass.
Glow-in-the-dark wristbands are available for children to wear at the event to help reunite parents and children if they become separated. These are available in advance from the Civic Centre, Strathclyde Park reception and Motherwell Library, and on the day from Strathclyde Park reception and event stewards.
Everyone attending the fireworks display is asked to follow the event rules:
- Do not bring your own fireworks or sparklers into the park.
- Do not bring pets to the event.
- There will be no admission to anyone under the influence or alcohol or drugs.
- Drones must not be used anywhere in the park during the event.
- Place litter in public bins or take it home.
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