Visitors to the fireworks display at Strathclyde Country Park on 5 November are advised to plan ahead and allow plenty time for travel as the event is expected to be very busy.
There is limited parking within the park and surrounding streets, so organisers North and South Lanarkshire Councils suggest arriving early to enjoy the food and music, travelling by public transport or parking further away and walking.
The fireworks display starts at 6.30pm, with the bonfire lit at 5.30pm. Food outlets run by The Big Feed will be open from 4.30pm to 8.00pm at the Watersports Centre concourse and the foreshore car park, with music playing around the centre.
Information about the event is available at www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/fireworks
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 2.00pm and 9.00pm which can be booked online at www.scotlandsthemepark.co.uk.
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.
Vehicle access to the park at Hamilton Road will close at 5.30pm; the entrance at the Raith Interchange will remain open. The beach car park will be closed.
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 12 noon 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.
Full details are given at www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/fireworks
Chief Inspector Stephen McGovern said: “Police Scotland is working closely with a range of key partners, including North Lanarkshire Council, in advance of Bonfire Night to keep everyone safe.
“We want everyone to enjoy the event at Strathclyde Country Park and the safety of our communities is our main priority.
“It is a busy time for police and other emergency services and we want to highlight the risks and consequences of fireworks-related incidents and ask everyone to take care and follow instructions from officers if required.
“Bonfire Night ought to be a safe and enjoyable experience for all and the public can help us achieve this by ensuring they follow the event rules.”
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 6.30pm. 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.