COUNCIL bosses have put up barriers on a busy city centre street for pedestrian safety.

But it is believed the red and white crash barriers in place along West George Street are also to stop an unauthorised taxi rank.

The measure has been put in place behind Queen Street Station where £120million redevelopment works are underway.

Taxis were gathering along West George Street and across the road into Buchanan Street, outside the Tron Church.

Cyclist Kris Simpson said: "The unauthorised ranking on Buchanan Street causes real inconvenience for people who are on a bike or on foot.

"The taxis gather in a U-shape outside the Tron Church, meaning you can't get past and have to divert around them.

"I'm glad the council has taken a measure to stop the taxis gathering along West George Street but it hasn't stopped the problem on Buchanan Street."

Work to redevelop Glasgow Queen Street will finished in Spring 2020 but the station will remain open throughout the build.

It has meant reducing the road to one lane and made the street more congested.

Council bosses said the barriers would help keep pedestrians safe.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “The barriers have been introduced to ease congestion and improve pedestrian safety while the work on Queen Street Station is underway.

"The barriers have been placed over a no waiting zone for traffic.”

Stephen Flynn, chairman of Glasgow Taxis, said: “We would advise drivers to always use authorised ranks.”