Armed protection for Commonwealth Games skeet shooters staying at City Quay has been branded “a complete overkill”.
West Victoria Dock Road the main thoroughfare into the area has been shut off as part of security measures to protect skeet shooting athletes who are staying at the Apex Hotel ahead of their competition at Barry Buddon.
The closure, which will last for almost three weeks, has seen the erection of concrete blocks, steel fences and CCTV units in the quaint quay.
Dozens of police officers including some carrying firearms are also patrolling the roads around the site, supported by private security staff.
Residents have been left fuming at thesudden closure, which will add time tocommutes in the coming weeks.
Gail McGuinness one of thousands of people who live at the new development said she was furious at the closure.
She told The Courier: “I cannot understand the need for all of the security they have in place. First the steel fences went up, then the CCTV and barriers, security guards arrived, the road closed and now there is a continuous police patrol walking around the quay.
“I counted six very bored officers at one point what do they think is going tohappen?”
However, it is not just the perceived securityexcesses that are frustrating residents. Many also fear that their commutes will take longer and local businesses will suffer as a result.
Mrs McGuinness continued: “The road closure means needless detours to get in and out I can only be grateful that I’m on holiday at present or the trip to and from work would be most frustrating.
“The Apex is also closed to all non-residents until this is all over. I emailed them last night to check this was the case as we often pop in for a drink or bite to eat.
“It all just seems like complete overkill to me and I’m not sure folk have really appreciated this would be the impact of the hotel being used.”
It is also understood that restaurants at the City Quay site, which was the first stage of the billion pound waterfront redevelopment, are also suffering from a drop inbusiness caused by the hotel’s closure.
Darren Mayberry, who recently moved into the area, is another angry resident.
“I’ve been in my flat for about two months,” he said.“The West Victoria Dock Road closure makes it much more difficult for me to do everday tasks it’s taking much longer to do my weekly shop, nevermind the time it will take me to get into work.
“I now have to go up to the railway station roundabout just to get to the top of West Victoria Dock Road.”
He added: “It seems totally bizarre that they have so much protection for a group of Commonwealth Games athletes it looks more like Barack Obama is staying at the Apex.”
A Glasgow 2014 spokesperson said: “Perimeter fencing is essential to ensure we deliver a safe and secure environment for all and installations along with road restrictionsare now being implemented to prepare for the games with local diversions in place.
“Glasgow 2014 and Dundee City Councilhave been engaging with residents regularly, letters have been delivered to affected addresses with more details and community meetings have been hosted to allow those affected to find out more information.
“We greatly appreciate the patience and understanding of all affected residents around our sites as we begin to implement the temporary changes required for games time.”